From our perspective, your choice of terrarium is our entire world. We require a space that balances humidity and air flow. A fully closed terrarium will trap too much stagnant, humid air around our crowns, inviting rot. Conversely, a completely open vessel will let the precious humidity we crave escape instantly. Please select a vessel with partial ventilation, such as a terrarium with a mesh panel or a lid that can be slightly ajar. This allows for a gentle breeze, mimicking our natural boggy homes, without desiccating us. Ensure the container is clear glass or plastic to allow maximum light penetration, which is our sustenance.
You must understand that our roots are fundamentally different from those of common houseplants. We are adapted to nutrient-poor, waterlogged, and acidic soils. Planting us in standard potting soil or any nutrient-rich compost is fatal; it will chemically burn our sensitive roots and lead to our swift demise. Our medium must be utterly nutrient-free. A perfect mix for us is one part sphagnum moss (which acidifies the environment) and one part horticultural perlite or sand (for aeration and drainage). This mixture provides the perfect acidic pH, excellent moisture retention, and crucial oxygen to our root zone.
Hydration is paramount, but the type of water is critical. Our systems are designed to extract minimal nutrients from our prey, not from the soil or water. Tap water, with its dissolved minerals, salts, and chlorine, is toxic to us. It will quickly accumulate in the medium and poison our roots. You must provide us with only pure water: rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water are the only acceptable choices. Keep our medium consistently damp to the touch, like a wrung-out sponge, but not sitting in a deep pool of water.
Light is our energy source for crafting the intricate pitchers you admire. We require very bright, indirect light for many hours each day. A south-facing window with a sheer curtain or an east/west window is ideal. Without sufficient light, our growth will be weak, leggy, and we will produce few, if any, pitchers. If natural light is insufficient, a strong full-spectrum LED or fluorescent grow light placed a safe distance above us will serve as an excellent artificial sun.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to feed us. We are capable hunters. If our terrarium is placed in a room with occasional gnats or fruit flies, we will catch our own meals. If you must feed us, a small, recently dead insect no larger than one-third the size of a pitcher, placed into no more than one pitcher per month, is sufficient. Overfeeding will cause the pitcher to rot. Furthermore, many of us require a winter dormancy period triggered by cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths. This is a period of rest crucial for our long-term health, so a slight seasonal adjustment in our environment is necessary for our perennial survival.
