Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants that trap insects and small animals in their distinctive pitcher-shaped leaves They are native to bogs and swamps in North and South America, Africa, and Australia Pitcher plants make for very unique and exotic houseplants. With their strange leaf shapes and carnivorous habits, they add interest to any indoor plant collection.
Caring for a pitcher plant isn’t difficult, but they do have some specific needs when it comes to potting mix, water, light, and feeding. Repotting is an important part of keeping your pitcher plant healthy. This allows you to refresh the potting media and give the plant more room for its roots to grow. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to repot a pitcher plant.
When to Repot a Pitcher Plant
Pitcher plants should be repotted every 2-3 years. The best time to repot is in early spring, before the plant starts putting on new growth. Repotting in spring gives the plant time to recover from being disturbed before it enters its active growing period.
Signs that your pitcher plant needs repotting include
- The potting mix pulls away from the sides of the container when you water. This indicates the mix is breaking down and compacting.
- There are more roots than potting mix visible when you take the plant out of its container.
- pitchers (leaves) are smaller than usual or plant growth seems stunted.
- The plant is top heavy or unstable in its pot.
Supplies Needed
Gather the following supplies before you start repotting your pitcher plant:
- Pitcher plant or carnivorous plant potting soil
- A container 2-4 inches larger than the current pot
- Chopstick or skewer for loosening roots
- Water
- Tray or bowl for holding the plant
The pitcher plant potting mix should be a peat moss-based blend specifically for carnivores. Do not use regular houseplant soil, as it will kill the pitcher plant.
Plastic pots work better than terra cotta for pitcher plants. Make sure the pot has drainage holes. Square pots are ideal since they provide more root space, but round ones work too.
How to Repot a Pitcher Plant Step-By-Step
Follow these steps to successfully repot your pitcher plant:
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Water the plant thoroughly 1-2 days before repotting. This makes removal from the old pot easier and minimizes damage to the roots.
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Fill the new pot about 1/3 full with fresh pitcher plant potting soil. Set it aside.
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Remove the plant from its current container. You may need to gently loosen the root ball with your fingers. Or use a chopstick to separate the roots from the sides of the pot.
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Gently shake and squeeze the old potting mix from the roots. Try to remove as much as possible to expose the root system.
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Place the plant in the bowl or tray. Use the chopstick to gently loosen and untangle the roots so they spread outward. This will encourage them to grow into the new potting mix.
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Position the plant in the new pot. The crown where the pitchers emerge should sit just above the soil level.
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Hold the plant upright in the pot and begin filling in around the roots with potting mix. Use your fingers or a chopstick to spread the roots outward as you add soil.
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When the pot is 2/3 full, water the plant to help settle the soil. Allow excess water to drain fully.
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Finish filling the pot with soil, leaving about 1 inch of space at the top for watering. Do not cover the crown of the pitcher plant.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. This will settle the soil further and eliminate any air pockets.
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Place the newly repotted plant in a shallow tray of water. Keep the water level just below the pot. This maintains the high moisture pitcher plants need.
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Move the plant to bright, indirect light while it recovers from repotting. Low to medium light reduces stress. Gradually move it back to its normal light levels over 2-3 weeks.
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Resume normal care. It may take 4-6 weeks for your pitcher plant to get accustomed to its new pot. Growth may be minimal at first. With time, you will see new, healthy pitchers develop.
Pitcher Plant Potting Mix Recipe
You can buy pre-made carnivorous plant soil, or make your own custom blend. Here is an easy potting mix recipe for pitcher plants:
- 2 parts sphagnum peat moss
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part orchid bark or horticultural charcoal
The peat moss provides moisture retention and low nutrients. Perlite improves drainage to keep the roots from getting waterlogged. Orchid bark or charcoal adds air pockets for the roots and helps prevent potential salt buildup from fertilizing.
Simply mix the ingredients together thoroughly in a bucket or wheelbarrow. Moisten the potting mix before using so it will be easier to work with and will cling to the pitcher plant roots better.
Caring for Your Pitcher Plant After Repotting
Once your pitcher plant is repotted, be sure to:
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Keep it in high humidity by placing the pot on a pebble tray. Mist the leaves daily.
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Water only with distilled water or rainwater, never tap water. Keep the potting mix moist but not soggy.
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Feed with a diluted orchid fertilizer or by placing one live insect in a pitcher every 2-3 weeks.
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Provide bright, indirect sunlight.
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Monitor for signs of transplant shock like leaf yellowing. Increase humidity and light levels if stressed.
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Be patient! Repotting is traumatic for plants. It may take a month or more for your pitcher plant to settle in and resume normal growth. But with proper care, it will recover and thrive in its new container.
Repotting on a regular basis keeps your carnivorous pitcher plant healthy. Just be gentle, meet its preferences, and allow enough time for it to adjust. With the right repotting technique and follow-up care, your pitcher plant will continue growing vigorously in its new abode.
When should I repot Nepenthes?
You ideally want to repot your Nepenthes every 2-3 years. However, if you notice any of the following, it may also be time to repot!.
- The root mass has outgrow the pot
- The media smells or is decomposing
- The roots are rotting (commonly known as “root rot”)
- The media is too tight
- The media is either holding on to too much or too little water.
- You have a pest problem
The best time to repot Nepenthes, like most plants, is early spring, when the plant is getting more light and the weather is warmer.
How do I repot Nepenthes?
Repotting Nepenthes is trickier than a regular houseplant. Follow these tips to ensure your Nepenthes is safely repotted!
- Take the plant out of its pot. Hold the plant’s base in one hand and the pot in the other. Gently wiggle the plant out of the pot.
- Take off the old media from the roots by giving them a light shake. Scrub off any media that’s stuck to them with your fingers.
- Check plant health: Look for root rot in the plant’s roots and rhizome. Cut off the root rot with a clean knife or pruners.
- If you need to, prune or divide the plant. Now is a great time to prune or divide your plant, but you don’t have to. Find out more by reading our blog post about Cuttings and Divisions!
- Get the new pot ready. Fill it with soil and leave room for the plant’s roots.
- Put the plant in the pot. Make sure the roots are close together but still have room to grow. Then, fill in the rest of the pot with media. Make sure there is enough space between the rocks so the plant doesn’t fall over and can support its own weight.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when repotting Nepenthes:
- Use a media that balances water retention and drainage. This is shown well by mixes of coconut coir and sphagnum moss.
- Nepenthes have very fragile roots, so be careful when you take them out of their old pot.
- Don’t use a potting mix or media that contains fertilizer. Nepenthes need to be fertilized in their pitchers. Read How to Fertilize Nepenthes to learn more about how to fertilize a Nepenthes plant.
- Use a pot with drainage holes
The Ultimate Nepenthes Repotting Guide
FAQ
When should I repot my pitcher plant?
What type of soil does a pitcher plant need?
When can a pitcher plant be divided and replanted?
Should I cut off brown pitchers on the pitcher plant?
How do you repot a pitcher plant?
Water the pitcher plant thoroughly the day before repotting. Gently remove the plant from its current pot. Choose a new pot that is only slightly larger than the current pot. Fill the new pot with a well-draining potting mix. Gently place the plant in the new pot. Backfill the pot with potting mix, being careful not to bury the plant’s rhizome.
When should you repot a pitcher plant?
The best time to repot a pitcher plant is in the spring or summer. The pot should be one size larger than the current pot. The soil should be a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and sand. Pitcher plants should be watered regularly and fertilized monthly. Pitcher plants can be propagated by division or seed.
Can hybrid pitcher plants be repotted?
Hybrid pitcher plants can be re-potted just like non-hybrid pitcher plants. If you have any houseplants, then you know that you’ll have to re-pot those plants from time to time.
When should you remove a pitcher plant from a pot?
When your pitcher plant is still dormant, which should be right before spring, it’s time to remove it from its pot and dump the old soil. You’ll then need to make a new potting mixture and gently place the pitcher plant back in a pot with the fresh soil mixture.
What happens if a pitcher dies after repotting?
After repotting keep an eye on the plants and check for fungal infections. Any pitchers that suddenly die are a sure sign of a problem. It’s sometimes possible to save a plant that has developed rot by taking the plant out of its pot and carefully cutting any rot away. This is a bit weather-dependent too. A cold wet spring can cause problems.
How do you repot a plant in a pot?
Add some of your compost mix to the bottom of the pot, then position the plant in the centre. Fill in the space around the edges of the pot with compost mix, gently firming the soil around the plant. Once you’ve finished repotting, ensure the pots stand constantly in rainwater and have lots of sunlight. They’ll grow well outside in summer.