Nepenthes gracilis

Nepenthes gracilis, is a medium size, fast growing carnivorous tropical pitcher plant with slender traps.  The lower traps are slender light green below with red speckled upper halves. They are about 4" long. The upper pitchers are elongated, light green with dark red to brown speckles, and up to 8". Traps are similar to N. alata, but more slender, and do not have a glandular crest beneath the lid. The leaves are long and narrow. There are pretty serrated wings along the ant trail of the lower pitchers. The lid is narrow and usually red, but can be green. In its native habitat, it usually grows in a sprawling manner in the shade. The vine easily divides as it grows, soon developing into its own jungle of graceful pitchers. It is heat tolerant and does well in a window. It is quite good at catching large insects, such as: stink bugs, wasps and yellow jackets. It is a great house plant and does very well in a room temperature terrarium. It can be grown outdoors in the warm weather. Prune to keep bushy. Cuttings root easily in water.