In this post, we will talk about growing and caring for the Sun Pitchers, or Heliamphora. Heliamphora plants are also carnivorous and have pitchers for capturing prey. We will talk about growing and caring for Heliamphora. What is more, we will discuss their water, soil and light needs. Then, we will talk about species, propagation, feeding, types and much more. What is more, we will talk about growing Sun Pitcher in a greenhouse, terrarium, indoors or outdoors.
What are Heliamphora and what is their natural habitat? And what traps do they have?
Heliamphora flower
Heliamphora is another genus of carnivorous plants. They are naturally found in South America and there are more than 20 species. To be more detailed, they are found on the mountaintops of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana.
Their traps are modified leaves – they are fused into a bell-shaped tube. Heliamphora, or Sun Pitchers, also have nectar glands to produce nectar – a good way to lure insects. Their pitchers grow from a rhizome.
Heliamphora also have beautiful flowers – usually white in the beginning, which later turn into purple/pink. They often bloom in the winter and spring.
What species of Heliamphora are there?
There are more than 20 known species of Heliamphora.
Heliamphora nutans
Let’s name some of them:
- Neblinae
- Ionasi
- Parva
- Tatei
- Elongata
- Minor
- Nutans
- Heterodoxa
- Ciliata
- Pulchella
- Sarracenioides
Which soil do Heliamphora plants need?
Heliamphora plants should grow in a nutrient poor soil. This is because they live in grasses and not really proper soil in their habitat. When growing Heliamphora at home, make sure that the soil is well-drained and not soggy.
The best soil for these plants is a mix of 1:1:1 perlite, lava rock/sand and peat/sphagnum moss. You can also add some orchid bark.
How often to water Heliamphora plants?
In their habitat, Heliamphora plants get lots of water from overhead daily – with daily rainfalls and high humidity. When growing at home, water the plants daily and keep the soil wet at all times.
If you don’t have time to water daily, water them every second day but keep a saucer on the bottom of the container. Water from overhead with deionised, mineral-free, reverse-osmosis water or rainwater. Read more on reverse-osmosis water filtering system and its benefits here.
Also, mist your plant at least few times a week, to wash off any accumulating fungi.
Which container to use for growing Heliamphora?
The best types of containers for Heliamphora plants are plastic or ceramic ones with drainage holes on the bottom. Choose 4-6 inch pots for young Heliamphora plants, and 8-10 inch container for mature plants.
Another good container choice are ceramic pots with bottom holes and saucers like this. You can also place your plants in a terrarium, or greenhouse, but only in pots. Proper ventilation is very important.
Which temperatures do Heliamphora plants needs?
Heliamphora plants require cool-warm daytime temperatures and cool-cold nights. In the natural habitat, on the mountaintops, it is foggy and cool. Daytime temperatures should range from 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5-29 Celsius), but try to keep temperatures in the mid range. Nighttime temperatures should range between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-15.5 Celsius).
In winter, you can reduce temperatures even more, but not lower than 45 degrees F (7.2 degrees Celsius). However, these low temperatures will slow down plant growth.
How much sun light (or artificial light) do Heliamphora plants need?
Heliamphora plants need full sun or full light. If growing indoors and without possibility of providing the plant with sunlight, use artificial plant lights.
What humidity levels do Heliamphora plants need?
Heliamphora plants naturally live in high humidity areas with usual fogs. At home, make sure to keep them in a spot with high humidity (60% or more). Misting plants and using a humidifier can help increase humidity levels.
Can I grow Heliamphora plants outdoors?
Don’t plant Heliamphora outdoors if the temperatures don’t match the above requirements. Only if your climate offers warm daytime temperatures and low nighttime temperatures + high humidity, then you can have the plant outside.
Growing Heliamphora plants in a greenhouse
Growing the Sun Pitchers in a greenhouse might be a good idea, but only in a cool house. High temperatures above 85 degrees will harm the plants.
What is more, you will need to cool the greenhouse to low temperatures at night. The better idea is to have a mini walk-in greenhouse like this or something similar, to accommodate these plants. Portable greenhouses are also good.
Growing Heliamphora plants in a terrarium indoors
If you decide to grow Sun Pitchers in a terrarium, make sure to have artificial plants lights on top of a container. While you will need high humidity levels, make sure to open the lid very often to let the fresh air in.
Heliamphora require good ventilation. Choose a large mini-greenhouse tank that will serve as a terrarium and place the plants in the pots inside.
You can place the terrarium in the office, for example, where daytime temperatures don’t need to be supported. But at night, you can cool the terrarium with ice packs and ventilation (open the vent).
If you place your terrarium in a cold basement, you can heat it during the day if needed with a heating pad like this. Make sure temperatures are optimal during the nighttime. If using a heating pad, you need to connect it to a thermostat to make sure that temperatures are correct.
Growing Heliamphora plants indoors
If you want to have the Sun pitcher plants indoors on a windowsill, you will need to make sure of optimal temperatures and humidity. It can be hard to achieve it if there is no enough bright sunlight.
Humidity levels will be also too low for the plant. If you want to keep the plant indoors, you must place it in a mini-greenhouse or a terrarium, with plant lights and frequent misting.
Do Heliamphora plants become dormant in winter?
No, these plants don’t become dormant but the growth slows down. If you reduce the temperature to only 45 degrees, the plant will surely slow down its growth. Don’t go below that, or your plant will not survive.
What do Heliamphora plants eat and what can you feed them?
Heliamphora plants can eat various insects, such as small crickets, wasps, fruit flies and mealworms. Sun pitchers are weak feeders and they will usually catch the insects themselves. If they can’t – feed them a small insect or two once in 2-3 weeks. Check the trap is empty before dropping another insect.
Do I need to transplant Heliamphora plants?
Heliamphora plant roots are very brittle, so you must be gentle when transplanting the plants. Transplant the Sun Pitcher in winter, when the growth is slow. Do it once in few years and replace the old soil with fresh.
How to grow new Heliamphora plants? Propagation.
You can pollinate a female plant with male pollen to receive seeds, but it will take few months to produce seeds, then few weeks to germinate them, and then 3-4 years for a seed to become a young plant.
You can also propagate Heliamphora by diving the plant at the rhizome point, so that a new plant has roots. Tissue culture is also another way to propagate Heliamphora.
Can any pests attack Heliamphora plants and how to get rid of them?
Heliamphora can be attacked by scale and fungus. This is seen more often if you grow your Heliamphora in a terrarium or greenhouse that is not well lit or ventilated. Use fungicide to get of fungus.
Thank you for reading this guide! Read more guides on growing carnivorous plants and happy growing!
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