About
Pitchers to 30cm tall and 10cm wide at the lip are formed from cone-shaped vivid green leaves shaded red and purple. A carnivorous perennial to 40cm in height. Nodding white flowers with red bracts are borne on stems in spring.
About the genus
Heliamphora are a genus of 23 species of plants known as sun pitchers. They attract, trap and kill insects and also control the amount of water in their pitchers.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeBogs
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationPlant in sphagnum moss with sand, perlite or pumice. Maintain high humidity and good air circulation and keep temperatures between 16-27oC. Expose to as much light as possible in winter but provide shade from the mid-day sun in summer. See carnivorous plant cultivation for further details
PruningNo pruning is necessary, remove dead or decaying plant material as seen
PropagationPropagate by seed; scatter seed on sphagnum moss and keep in bright light and humid conditions. Propagate by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey mould