




🐾 Non-toxic • 🪴 Elongated green pitchers spotted with red • 🌞 Bright light without direct sun • 💧 Moist substrate + high humidity • 📏 H17 cm | Pot Ø12 cm
Nepenthes alata, also called the pitcher plant, is a wild species native to the humid tropical forests of the Philippines — unlike Nepenthes 'Gaya', which is a horticultural hybrid, alata is a natural species with elongated, tapered pitchers that are pale green and spotted with red or purple. Its elegant, curved forms make it one of the most popular Nepenthes in cultivation. Combine it with other carnivorous plants.
Whether hanging or placed up high, it lets its pitchers hang freely for a spectacular effect. Like all carnivorous plants, it has specific humidity and light requirements.
Light & placement
Nepenthes alata thrives in bright light without direct sun — direct sun would burn its pitchers and delicate leaves. High ambient humidity is essential for its pitchers to develop properly.
- Light: bright light without direct sun — an east- or north-facing window is ideal.
- Ideal for: a hanging planter, a bright windowsill, a bright bathroom, or a temperate conservatory.
- Temperature: 18 to 28 °C, protected from drafts.
- Substrate: a mix of sphagnum moss, peat, and perlite, always light and moist.
Watering & care
- Water type (mandatory): exclusively rainwater or demineralized water — the limescale in tap water is fatal to carnivorous plants. Keep the substrate slightly moist without excess standing water. Nepenthes 'Gaya' follows the same care approach.
- Ambient humidity: 60 to 80% is essential — mist the foliage regularly or place it on a bed of moist clay pebbles.
- Fertilizer: none — the plant naturally captures small insects.
- Pruning: remove dry pitchers to encourage new growth.
- Repotting: every 1 to 2 years in a fresh mix of peat and sphagnum moss.
Decor ideas & plant combinations
Its elongated, tapered pitchers create a more delicate and graceful silhouette than other Nepenthes — when hanging, they cascade elegantly and draw the eye. A reliable choice for a plant corner.
- In a Nepenthes duo: pair it with Nepenthes 'Gaya', with its stockier, more colorful pitchers — two Nepenthes, two different pitcher shapes, the same care approach, and a fascinating duo for carnivorous plant enthusiasts.
- In a hanging carnivorous plant collection: pair it with Dionaea muscipula and Drosera aliciae on a tray — a hanging carnivore + a snap-trap carnivore + a sticky-dew carnivore, three different display levels.
- Decorative pot: a lightweight natural-fiber hanging planter or a matte light-colored ceramic decorative pot enhances the elongated pitchers without weighing down the composition.
Verdeia tips
- Ambient humidity comes first: Nepenthes alata suffers more from air that is too dry than from insufficient watering — mist the foliage 2 to 3 times a week or place it in a bright bathroom to maintain the necessary 60 to 80% humidity.
- Place it up high: its pitchers naturally develop downward — placed on a high shelf or hung up, they can hang freely and reach their full length.
- Lime-free water is absolutely essential: like all carnivorous plants, the limescale in tap water is fatal to it — use exclusively rainwater or demineralized water.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Nepenthes alata
- Common name: pitcher plant
- Origin: Philippines (humid tropical forests)
- Pot diameter: Ø12 cm
- Approximate height: H17 cm
- Mature size: up to 40 cm
- Light: bright light without direct sun
- Watering: regular — moist substrate, lime-free water required
- Care: moderate
- Non-toxic to animals and children
- Decorative style: Urban jungle / Tropical / Hanging
Each plant is unique: the photos show an example of its appearance. The shape, size, and colors of the pitchers naturally vary according to light and ambient humidity.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.

