Your First Carnivorous Plant Starts Here
Florae is a collector-driven nursery specializing in rare tropical pitcher plants. If you are new here, welcome.
Nepenthes are tropical carnivorous plants, and among the most fascinating things you can grow. Native to the highlands and lowlands of Southeast Asia, they evolved to trap and digest insects as a survival strategy in nutrient-poor soils. In cultivation, they are more approachable than most people expect, and for the right grower, genuinely addictive.
At Florae, we work with some of the most respected breeders and propagation labs in the world to responsibly bring rare Nepenthes into cultivation. Many of the plants we offer are difficult to find elsewhere. This page is built for people who are curious, ready to learn, and looking for a plant worth caring about.
A Gift for First-Time Growers
If this is your first order with Florae, use code HAPPYGROWING at checkout to receive a complimentary plant with your purchase. Consider it a welcome to the community.
Plants We Recommend for New Growers
Nepenthes (veitchii x boschiana) x (veitchii x boschiana) | Jeremiah Harris | JH-386
$ 19.99Nepenthes (veitchii x lowii) x (lowii x Gothica) – ‘Warped Peristome’ | Florae Collaborative | FC-263.01
$ 22.99Nepenthes veitchii long, striped x (truncata x spectabilis) | Jeremiah Harris | JH-399.02
$ 19.99
Growing Conditions Basics
Most Nepenthes grown in cultivation fall into three broad categories: highland, intermediate, and lowland. Highland species come from cooler mountain environments and prefer warm days and cool nights, typically around 75 to 80°F during the day and dropping into the mid to low 50s°F at night. Intermediate species tolerate a wider range, generally 70 to 85°F during the day with nights in the mid to upper 60s°F. Lowland species prefer consistent warmth, with days in the low to mid 80s°F and nights no cooler than 65 to 70°F. Intermediate and lowland plants are often a better fit for beginners working without a dedicated growing space, and do well under the conditions most US households naturally maintain.
Across both groups, a few conditions matter most.
| Humidity | should stay above 60%, and higher is generally better. A grow tent, terrarium, or greenhouse environment makes this easier to maintain consistently. |
| Light | should be bright but indirect. A sunny windowsill, a quality grow light, or a shaded greenhouse bench all work well. Avoid direct midday sun, which can scorch foliage. |
| Water | should be low in dissolved minerals. Distilled, reverse osmosis, or collected rainwater are all good options. Tap water is generally not suitable. |
| Potting mix | should be nutrient-poor and well-draining. A mix of peat and perlite is a reliable starting point for most species. |
If you want to go deeper before choosing your first plant, our growing guide covers each of these topics in more detail.
What to Expect When You Order:
Plants leave our greenhouse carefully packaged for transit. Your plant arrives in its nursery pot, wrapped to protect foliage and pitchers, and ready to settle into its new environment.
Give it a few days to acclimate. Some minor stress after shipping is normal. A pitcher or two may yellow and drop. New growth will follow. Maintain humidity, keep conditions stable, and resist the urge to repot immediately.
Our Live Plant Guarantee:
Every plant we sell is guaranteed to arrive alive and in good health. If something is not right, document it with photos within 24 hours of delivery and contact us. We will replace it or issue a credit, no complicated process required.
We grow and care for these plants ourselves. We have a genuine interest in seeing them thrive in your collection, and that does not end at the point of sale.
FAQ:
Yes, with the right setup. A sunny windowsill can work for some lowland and intermediate species, though a grow tent or enclosed shelf with a quality grow light gives you much more control over humidity and light levels. Many serious growers started on a windowsill and expanded from there.
No. In cultivation, Nepenthes do not need live prey to thrive. They obtain nutrients from their growing medium and, in greenhouse environments, from whatever naturally finds its way into a pitcher. If you are growing indoors, occasional light foliar feeding can substitute. The pitchers will still form and function regardless.
Distilled, reverse osmosis, or collected rainwater are all suitable. Tap water contains minerals that accumulate in the soil over time and can damage roots. This is one of the more important details to get right from the beginning, and one of the easier ones once you have a source established.
We recommend waiting at least four to six weeks after your plant arrives before repotting. Give it time to acclimate to its new environment first. Repotting adds stress on top of shipping stress, and most plants establish better when left undisturbed initially.