Image caption appears here

Tropical Pitcher Plant Nepenthes Alata Carnivorous

Live Arrival Guarantee

Fast Shipping

Watch Growth

Reduce Stress

Details

Nepenthes Alata – Tropical Pitcher Plant (Monkey Cup)

Bring the magic of the tropics into your home with the Nepenthes Alata, also known as the Monkey Cup or Pitcher Plant. This fascinating carnivorous plant forms elegant pitchers that attract and collect insects with sweet nectar, turning them into natural fertilizer. Not only is it a conversation starter, but it’s also surprisingly easy to care for and forgiving—perfect for both beginners and collectors.

Native to Southeast Asia, India, Madagascar, and Australia, Nepenthes Alata thrives as a vining plant, making it a beautiful addition to a sunny windowsill, hanging planter, or terrarium. Its nickname, “Monkey Cups,” comes from the curious fact that monkeys have been known to sip water from the pitchers in the wild!

🌿 Care Tips:

  • Keep consistently moist—never let it dry out.

  • Pitchers should always hold a little water (no more than 50% full).

  • Use only distilled or rainwater (tap water can damage the plant).

  • Prefers bright light—either a sunny spot or under grow lights.

  • Best grown in Sphagnum Moss (avoid rich soils).

  • Failure to produce pitchers usually signals low light, humidity, or improper watering.

These plants love humid environments and naturally feed themselves by catching gnats and flies, so no extra fertilizer or feeding is required.

Planter Options Available:

  • Nursery Pot – Standard plastic 2" or 4" hanging pot, perfect for starter growth or for slipping into your favorite planter. (Best value in our bundle deals!)

  • Amelia Porcelain Hanging 4" – Sleek white or blue porcelain planter with s-hook for hanging. Flat-bottomed design allows tabletop display. Drainage hole included.

  • Olympia Ceramic 3.5" Marble Planter – Grey-white marble-style porcelain planter with a raised white metal stand. Drainage hole included.

  • Nursery Hanging Basket – Available in 4" or a stunning 8" size with pitchers up to 3"+. Large version includes a 15" hanger for dramatic display.

  • Wanda Ceramic 3" – Elegant hexagonal ceramic planter with bamboo tray.

  • Diana Ceramic 3" – Simple white ceramic planter with bamboo tray.

  • Daphne Ceramic 4.5" – Modern ceramic pot paired with a rose-gold tray for a chic touch.

🌸 Recommended Add-Ons:

  • Lyfe Rose Gold Signature Mister – Keeps humidity high while adding beauty to your plant shelf.

  • 📦 From Our Greenhouse to Your Home
    All plants are shipped directly from our indoor greenhouse in South Florida. Each Nepenthes is one-of-a-kind—your plant may have slightly more or fewer pitchers than pictured, but will always arrive healthy and ready to grow. If you’d like, message us and we’ll send you a photo of the exact plant you’ll receive! Lifestyle photos are for inspiration and show what a mature specimen may look like in your space.

Plant Care
Botanical Name
Nepenthes Alata
Common Names
Tropical Pitcher Plant
Plant Type
Carnivorous Perennial
Mature Size
Can grow up to 8-12 inches tall; pitchers reach 4-6 inches
Sun Exposure
Bright, indirect light to partial sun
Soil Type
Well-draining, nutrient-poor medium (e.g., sphagnum moss and perlite)
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; prefers distilled or rainwater
Humidity
High humidity (60-80%)
Bloom Time
Seasonal, typically in spring or summer
Flower Color
Unshowy, often greenish or reddish
Hardiness Zones
Zone 10-11; commonly grown indoors in all climates
Native Area
Tropical regions of Southeast Asia
Toxicity
Pet Friendly; non-toxic to cats and dogs
Shipping & Return

Plants ship from our location in Florida and arrive nationwide within 5-8 business days. All our plants ship exclusively with UPS to ensure they arrive timely and in good condition. For those users in Florida, George, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia, shipping may be faster. Estimated shipping dates can be seen in checkout. Plant exclusions may apply.

We monitor the weather in each destination location to maximize the shipping time and utilize thermal protection to ensure that the plant is protected. You can add a heatpack or thermal bag to your order if temperatures at night fall below 40 degrees.

You can visit our shipping policy to learn more.

Customer Reviews

Based on 30 reviews
90%
(27)
3%
(1)
0%
(0)
3%
(1)
3%
(1)
R
Rozangela F.
I love it

I have wanted this plant for years. It's amazing. I can't wait to see how it does.

L
Laura J.M.
Perfect

Love, love, love the pitcher plant! The plant arrived safely with the expert packing. The plant is healthy and vibrant. I will be a regular customer. Thanks so much.

J
Joseph A.R.
So cute

I have had her for about a month and she is doing fantastic.

J
Julie S.
Cool plant… happy to add it to my collection!

Newer to growing pitcher plants… happy to find one that is a little larger and had a few gorgeous pitchers too. Planter is modern and adds a nice touch. Very happy with my purchase from VLife.

Search