The Ultimate Nepenthes Seed Guide

This is our comprehensive guide on growing Nepenthes tropical pitcher plants from seed. We cover flower identification, pollination, seed ripening, seed harvesting, seed sowing, germination, and demonstration of growth rate over several years.
The video only covers the methodology we use in our specific conditions. We can try to answer questions about other conditions in the comments section.
The plants produced by our in-house Nepenthes breeding program and many more can be found at www.predatoryplants.com.
Thanks for watching!

[@adaboyle]

Finally a complete guide that's easy to follow. Thank you

[@zay_rat8942]

@Kane Zechariah took roughly 0 seconds but I figured out you’re a bot!

[@OutdoorsAndBotanical]

incredible Video! I love how you showed the entire process from start to finish. I don't think anyone has done that before. I have always wanted to start nepenthes from seed, would you be willing to part with some of your Seeds? thanks so much for sharing. can't wait to see updates

[@PredatoryPlants]

Glad you liked the video! We don't sell Nepenthes seeds at this time.

[@OutdoorsAndBotanical]

Oh ok thanks

[@underpantwierd1796]

Predatory Plants ummm josh do u have any ventricosa left or something easy for me to grow please tell me!!!

[@yusufjeewa364]

This is truly the ultimate nepenthes sowing guide.

[@darrellpugh6689]

Just bought my first Drosera capensis from you. Did not realize the 'Packing Material' that i threw away was sphagnum moss for potting until watching this video. Nice details provided . thank you

[@martycrouch7002]

A video with valuable content for the serious gardener

[@FLONASIA]

Thank.. from Indonesia

[@Theimpromptulife]

You did this video so well love to see the how too and stages like this!

[@acidsamus4044]

what a great shirt and even better video. just bought my first carnivorous plants from you guys. cant wait to start my collection. thank you so much for being so rad

[@PredatoryPlants]

Great to hear!

[@pauloconnor6331]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge - it shows you truly love your plants.

[@lukejacobs8851]

Great video, I wish this was out like 5 years ago when I started. Defiantly picked some seed pods early my first year having some.

[@smeedgar]

Thank you for Sharing this with Us. New Subscriber.

[@jasongamman6666]

Awesome video, I've just successfully pollinated my first lot of Nepenthe seeds, N.SPOTTED INDAH x HAMATA x PLATYCHILLA, N. INDAH x PINK VEITCHII, N. HIRISUTA x PINK VEITCHII, my N.BAREO are all females in which I have ten mature plants, they're all flowering atm, so I'm going to attempt allot of different crosses with these as well.

[@misskfountain4070]

Thank you!! Loved it.

[@austinvickymoore3656]

Wow... I really want to start growing nepanthese... these are stunning and very neat plants! I live in florida and want to build a whole indoor greenhouse of sorts for a few to grow and potentially cross my own (someday)

[@Expeditionwildside]

great video! going to be growing Nepenthes from seed soon!!!

[@christianjaydelarea8855]

Nice tutorial video. 👍

[@lpattenaude1716]

Awesome job

[@Yopapi209]

EXCELLENT video you've answered many questions I had regarding the process. Thanks Josh and Predatory Plants.

[@svdm6600]

Appreciate the content guys. Keep it up!

[@angelflys1766]

I think u are awesome thank you I'm obsessed thought other U tubers knew it all I'd say you win streak subscribed I'm an orchid Carnivorous plant lover in s fl

[@unrealhit88]

Angel Flys17 where in soflo?? I also grow cps and orchids in so flo :)

[@cyndieantonio]

nice complete video! very easy to follow. tyvm!❤

[@MrRestraint]

dude thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@mitchellmorrow5923]

Loving the increased KZbin presence, keep it up!

[@Nodde1991]

Ooh thanks for following through on the requests, great video, as always!

[@ADent-gk7rp]

I got 4 of your seeds grown nep's at the BACPS sale early this month. I'm impressed how they didn't go into shock. Getting leaf jumps and new traps already!!!

[@PredatoryPlants]

Great to hear!

[@CarnivorousPlantsAndGardening]

Thank you for this because I'm going to buy some seeds and germinate them because I love these plants

[@PredatoryPlants]

Make sure you check the sources of your seeds. Many seed sellers are scammers selling mislabeled seed that sometimes isn't Nepenthes. A lot of actual Nepenthes seed for sale is illegally harvested from habitat, and could threaten endangered species. It's best to wait until you're able to produce your own seed, or maybe do so with another grower, in order to be sure that your seeds don't have ethically dubious origins.

[@springbonnietheanimator3895]

cool,i think germination of seeds is better for the plants than cloning,you can't get exact plants like the parent though...

[@Salsa_Souls]

Great video! How do you avoid the seeds becoming mouldy while trying to germinate?

[@PredatoryPlants]

We didn't get into that kind of thing because it's so dependent on your conditions. We don't have problems with mold because we have fans running all the time for air flow. A helpful tip from the video is to sterilize the media before you sow the seeds. If sterilization and good air flow still aren't enough, some people use weekly applications of a light solution of fungicide like Captan.

[@Salsa_Souls]

Thanks for the reply. It's probably lack of air flow in my case then, I might open the top up a bit more and just keep it humid but with the air getting to it.

[@ScaryFear]

Thank you for the great advice. Where do I get milled sphagnum or is it this something I just throw into the blender? I used to have a source but that was years ago and they are gone now.

[@PredatoryPlants]

Our milled sphagnum is the byproduct of all of the dried long-fiber sphagnum that we use. We separate the dried, semi-compressed bales over a coarse screen, and the fine-material falls through. You can mill your own by either using a blender or rubbing it against a fine mesh screen.

[@ScaryFear]

So Simple. Thanks for the advice. I will definitely do that then.

[@Vidyut_Gore]

Could you also show the transplanting of seedlings to larger shared pots or individual pots?

[@myles117]

So how many weeks from pollination to you harvesting the ripe seed? Thank you for the guide, I am pollinating soon then leaving country for two months hope they can wait for my return!

[@noahlawson8256]

Very informative!

[@Beansie]

TOTALLY just went to your site to do some shopping. Not a single drosera to be had. Bummer.

[@emilienthevenin1]

Great video! I just received a pod of nepenthes edwardsiana, jaquelineae and aristolochioides hybrid, do you think that coco coir with other aditives like perlite, peat, chiloe moss or coco husk is good for nepenthes seedling?

[@PredatoryPlants]

I'm not sure why you would use such a complex and coarse-sounding mix for seedlings. We have found that "finer" mixes are better than "coarser" ones. If the tiny first root doesn't find somewhere soft to penetrate, then the seedling will likely perish. Also, ingredients like coco coir and husk tend to be very salty unless you soak and rinse them like crazy. The fewer ingredients, the less likely it is that one of them has unexpected salt.

[@emilienthevenin1]

PredatoryPlants Thank's for your answer. Of course on the top of the coarser mix I would put a thin mix with coco coir and dead sphagnum. I thought that by doing it this way the little roots would have a good contact with the soil and the coarser mix would alow a very good oxygenation. I also thought that I would be able to keep this soil longer than a simple seedling mix. My main preocupation was about the salt and nutrients of coco. I think that the coir is good because the mark says that the ec is low and that they coco plantations are far of the sea but my coco husks make the water brown when I put it in...

[@sandradee3477]

Just subscribed! Love your videos! I bought a Nepenthes to NJ from Florida in February, and the pitchers are browning out - I did everything wrong. They said this does not like sunlight and keep 1/2” water in the base. The top is growing but no new pitchers. I have to repot and move it tomorrow! My favorite thing is growing plants from seeds - do you sell them? I’d love to buy some!! Thanks for the info!!

[@PredatoryPlants]

Glad you like the videos. We don't sell very many seeds right now.

[@HenryLei]

Wow! This is an awesome video on Nepenthes. I love the fact that I actually learned something in 15mins. Keep up the great work.

[@water5]

Good video

[@Plant_Parenthood]

you've got all the anthers, dontcha?

[@billlumberg5746]

What temp do you keep the seedlings at mid 80's? Also do you allow it to cool down at night just like the older plants or do you keep a consistent heat throughout germination?

[@BrownThumbs]

Great video, really enjoying the content you guys are producing. Thx!

[@iamisheepy360]

New subscriber here. I want to know all the predator plants. 😁

[@Salsa_Souls]

A random question, do you have a video for Nepenthes Attenboroughii care? I have a small plant, currently in an incubator, warm and humid 28c day time then 18c night time temp and humid. How do you care for your Attenboroughii?

[@roystaab]

I tried to root a pitcher plant and followed directions for cutting, put in root tone, put in moss in a small pot, then in a zip lock bag for now a month and a half. today I looked and all is black. what did I do wrong?

[@uxleumas]

If I take two cutting of the same plent and they both flower, is it possible that one will be male and one will be female?

[@cliffowens3629]

Dude, I'm expecting 2 packets of 5 seeds from Amazon of N. Rafflesiana and I don't have a greenhouse as you do. I believe I can sow the seed as you demonstrated into a small container that has a snap lid like a soup bowl or a Chinese food tray for humidity control. Please correct me if I'm in error about this. Thanks.

[@PredatoryPlants]

That should work.

[@johndessoye]

I can't stop ordering from you............help me stop (don't). i have another order coming!

[@jordanprice1911]

Does you know of any reputable stores online or in store in Canada that sell carnivorous plants, either seed form or a full plant? I've been watching the Carnivorous Plant Store but they are almost always sold out of everything. I've been looking for abuot half a year now and have had no luck. Please help. I'm at a loss

[@GrimCrezter]

Nice guide, but I have a question. Are stimulators useful for nepenthe seeds? I saw some topics, but I misunderstood what kind of stimulators might be used

[@ANTSPlantation]

clearly the ten person that disliked is a noob is growing carnivorous plants.

[@dlubbers4499]

so i heard that female nepenthes grow faster than male nepenthes is this true ? really nice video now i want to try to make my own cross between N ventrata × N lady luck thx a lot

[@dlubbers4499]

XD

[@PredatoryPlants]

I haven't observed any consistent difference between male and female Nepenthes aside from the flowers. Glad you liked the video!

[@stephencorliss3224]

Great video, well explained and no ummming and ahhhing , also has all stages of growth. Obviously an expert.

[@myrmecos]

Superb video, Josh. I'm curious: Which fusca and which x Tiveyi are the parents of your fusca x x Tiveyi that you sowed in the video?

[@PredatoryPlants]

Glad you like the video! There will be more information on both of those breeders soon. The fusca is currently designated "Fancy" and the x Tiveyi is currently designated "Tapestry." These might be subject to change, but we will have pictures and full descriptions posted once the progeny are a bit more mature.

[@philiptdotcom9402]

Thanks for the very informative video! Any video/tips on initially transplanting seedlings? Thanks again! -pt

[@rjjr.1071]

How about if there's no male pitcher flower, can the female pitcher flower be pollinated by other plant's pollen? Thanks,

[@sauradeepsolotraveller6992]

For growing of Nepethenes is green house is essentially or not? If I place is under untransperent shed partly sunlight is available then any problem?

[@Carnivorous_allsorts]

living in the UK so getting seeds is difficult but have managed to get some and have been successful in getting them to germinate, but watched this video several times great by the way but wondered if you could show and do a video of it once you have the seedling at a year how you separate them and re pott them into their own pots without damaging the plants, would kind of finish the sequence off

[@humanbian]

How long do you microwave the milled LFS for? Could you boil in water instead?

[@БориславБалевски]

Hello, I am from Bulgaria and it is a bit difficult to find interesting plants here. provide information about a site or how to order plants or seeds here.

[@ElmoRitter]

Today I learned that Maxima x Ventricosa is pretty much Burkei.

[@dheemanthbhandarkar9528]

Too few subscibers for the content you present. 🔥🔥How long does it take for a plant to start flowering?

[@tylermccoy2020]

Thanks josh, very helpful video

[@siegerane]

Hello.. I would like to know after sowing the seeds where should I put them? Bright shaded or direct sunlight?

[@aaronowen4425]

the very young seedlings with the first few leaves do you grow them in the same light level as the adults or at a lower light level?

[@austinvickymoore3656]

Question.... do yall go through a stratification stage?

[@jackwhitetron]

The way he fondles the reproductive parts of the plant☺️

[@taylordavis4556]

Do you cover the top of the container while you wait for the the seeds to germinate ?

[@nyomanarya9007]

Love much more have...nephenties at home....best,love.....

[@Jame629]

Dude those pitchers are huge your going to breed one bigger enough to catch a human if you carry on 😁

[@klensson]

A very good video! What conditions are you using to germinate the seeds?

[@PredatoryPlants]

I don't want people to get too hung up on our specific growing conditions, because you don't need a greenhouse like ours for this to work. If you are successfully growing Nepenthes plants, then you probably have adequate conditions for seed germination. Err on the side of slightly warmer and more humid than the rest of your plants (you can use a dome or seran wrap over a seed pot) and you should be okay. The important part is fresh seeds and the correct soil/water.

[@klensson]

Thanks for the answer. I have a nepenthes GH but I'm always curious about others way to grow them :)

[@TWENTYB]

Are the seed trays with 3" pots kept in a pool? Like half to 1 inch of water at all times?

[@ThomasYng]

Should nepenthes seeds be put in refrigerator if I want to extend their shelf life ?

[@jaysonbandada4283]

Very informative video. Thanks for this 😁

[@HFeyn]

Do you sterilize the milled sphagnum?

[@alexanderurzua1866]

Idk how I ended up on planthub 😏 but I’m not complaining

[@i537]

I just bought some nepenthes from a local hobbists and in one of my four pots I noticed the tiniest nepenthes that I've ever seen. I've moved it into a small container to grow some more spagnum moss.

[@everfreebrumby8385]

Cool shirt, bro. Thanks for the video.

[@morkvomork6815]

One hint for "homegrowers" without greenhouse. I put the sphagnum into a big cucumberglas and close it with cling film, with a small slot for aeration. Same method i use for the propagation of cuttings. Greatings from germany.

[@patriciawright9298]

Brilliant video! Is there any way of identifying male and female plants if they are not flowering? Also, do they only flower once per year? My male is producing its first flower spike after 2years ownership (late summer in Australia). Will have to seek out a female in the nurseries. Also, it really appreciated repotting up to a 25cm pot. How often should I repot into larger pot and what season?

[@PredatoryPlants]

There is currently no way to determine the sex of a Nepenthes until it flowers. Some flower continuously, others only flower every few years. We generally repot every 2 or 3 years when the plants are actively growing.

[@ivanyamanaka26]

Thanks for posting your very informative video! I have a male picher plant that's blooming now but from what I understand from your video I need both a male and a female plant to produce seeds or is there another way? I'm new to this type of plants. Ty.

[@jasongamman6666]

I use petal Sphagnum for all of my mixes now, I live in New Zealand, so good quality sphagnum is easy to get hold of, Besgrow being the optimal brand of choice, I swear by it for anyone growing Venus & Sundews, petal sphagnum grade is the one to use, I propagate all my Venus flytraps & sundews Filiformis & hybrids, Binata & hybrids from flower stalk cuttings, with a 85%- 90% strike rate, mature plants in a fraction of the time as if you were to grow them from seed, cheers.

[@joachim_br]

Hello, What temperature and hygrometry should I aim for to get the seeds to grow ? Some colleagues use Orchid Focus to boost growth. Any experience ? Thank you, very very good video !

[@weedabix643]

So much talking about balls without loosing your cool! Well done! Seriously though: I love the content and delivery, your channel gets me hooked on cp's! Keep up the good work!

[@leemartinson4839]

Well what useful video thank you , do you use that same method for growing Nepenthes bicakcarata orange , think I spelt that bit of a mouthful to say

[@johncilyanson3536]

how old is he when he started this video?and how old is he after he after the end of the video?lolololol just kidding...this is a great nepenthes seed guide....

[@nrrve.1]

Real nepenthes hours who’s up

[@rextrinidad6646]

Thank you for your very useful video.

[@rjjr.1071]

Are you selling seeds? Thanks

[@MichaelFalveyTywardreath]

How a youtube 'how to' documentary should be presented. This sets the standard. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@rodlrfilmmakercreator1460]

Very excellent video. I think this is the best video from start to the end of the Nepenthes growing process. Thanks for sharing

[@patrickuy2292]

What happens if i dont have a male or a female

[@TripleBeamRIII]

Awesome vid very informative

[@user-qv3xs6eg2j]

When to repot the seedlings?

[@LimpiBR]

Video perfeito! Sempre quis um video que tivesse exatamente isso, um processo muito bem explicado e tudo em um único vídeo! Parabéns pelo trabalho!!

[@ntg4710]

Is is possible to get seed from a female flower without a male flower?

[@PredatoryPlants]

No

[@jonjonunlano3096]

can you use cocopeat for the seeds?

[@ilincaianorescu2090]

Great channel. I've been enjoying your videos, and appreciate what you do! So glad to find your store too. I hope to stock up on seeds!!! Peace!

[@mkbuhain]

Thanks Josh, very informative one of the best videos i've seen! from pollination to full plant.

[@brycerush98]

It’s like they grow exponentially, great video and gave me a much better idea of what to expect than others have, thanks!

[@rotters1977]

I am new to growing Nepenthes, when waiting for them to germinate, how much water do you have the pot sitting in? or is it more important to keep the surface wet?

[@Dariabar]

Thanks so much. I use to grow these and lost all my plants during a move; Oh Canada. I'm retired, and starting up again.