Winged pitcher plant Nepenthes alata
Winged pitcher plant (Nepenthes alata) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Nepenthaceae family, native to Philippines (mossy montane forest, about 800–2,400 m). It grows 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) tall and 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Winged pitcher plant in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Winged pitcher plant at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Nepenthaceae |
| Mature height | 1–4 m (3.3–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 4–5.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Philippines (mossy montane forest, about 800–2,400 m) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Winged pitcher plant toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Pitcher plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Winged pitcher plant
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
See Winged pitcher plant in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (4 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (8 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (4 plants)
Questions about Winged pitcher plant
- How far apart should I plant Winged pitcher plant?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Winged pitcher plant need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Winged pitcher plant need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Winged pitcher plant?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Winged pitcher plant flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Winged pitcher plant poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Pitcher plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Winged pitcher plant?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Winged pitcher plant. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- Cloud Forest conservatory (Cloud Mountain, cool-moist montane climate), Gardens by the Bay
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical montane (cloud forest, about 1,000–3,000 m): needs cool, constantly humid air. In the hot lowlands it is grown in a cooled conservatory (as in the Cloud Forest dome, kept near 23–25 °C).
- Carnivorous: leaf tips form green to red pitchers (10–20 cm) that trap insects; the stems climb by tendrils. Needs rainwater and acid, nutrient-poor media.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Raffles' pitcher plant Nepenthes rafflesiana
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea