Most people group nepenthes into two groups, highland and lowland. There is actually a third group called intermediate. Highland nepenthes grow above 3000 ft, lowlanders grow below 3000 ft, and intermediates bridge the two and with a little conditioning can handle either growing condition (except the extremes). There are also ultra high and lowlanders but I highly advise anyone just starting to avoid beginning with these as you will most likely kill them. The plants that fall into the intermediate group generally make good starting plants.
It is a good idea to have things ready in your home for your plant before your plant arrives in the mail.
This includes doing your research as well as having the proper lighting and other growing conditions. What I have compiled on this site is the information I have been able to gather, I make no claims to be an expert. If you find information that conflicts with what you read here please double check sources and then tell me! I want to provide accurate information as well as keep my own plants happy :)
Nepenthes grow in Borneo, Sumatra, the Philippines, Malaysia, New Guinea and the surrounding areas. A general guideline is to try to duplicate the natural habitat your particular plant comes from. For highlanders this generally means a high of 70-80 degrees during the day with an night temperature drop to around 50, and to be safe a humidity around 50% (they can be conditioned to lower humidities in the range of 25-35% or higher humidity as well). For lowlanders this means high humidity and warmer temperatures. Some lowlanders can be grown outside of terrariums while others require more controlled environments. Generally lowlanders experience daytime highs of 80-90 degrees and high humidity with a mild evening temperature drop. As the name implies intermediates can grow between the two conditions. I have found that my highland and intermediate plants can handle the average indoor temperature and humidity found in my central Oregon home.
In order to keep higher humidity levels many growers choose either a grow house or a terrarium. From the research I have done and my own limited experience I have found that most intermediates and highlanders can be adapted to grow outside of a terrarium. While some species require the controlled environment found in a terrarium, terrariums require constant upkeep to avoid the growth of fungus and bacteria that can be deadly to your plant. Instructions on how to condition your plant to lower humidity levels can be found on the humidity page.
On a side note, the majority of nepenthes have small fragile root systems (there are exceptions to this, some actually have larger root systems). So when you are handling your plants be careful so you don't overly damage the roots.
Nepenthes generally will catch enough bugs on their own, even inside your home. You can however occasionally (once every few weeks) provide an insect for your plant. It is important that the bug be freshly killed and appropriately sized for the pitcher it is going to be placed in. You should not have to stuff the insect in, it should be small enough that it can be fully submerged in the digestive fluids in the pitcher. If it can't be fully digested the insect will rot and the pitcher it was placed in will die.
Pitchers last anywhere from 1-3 months on average. When a pitcher begins to die it will start to brown/dry out from the top of the pitcher to the tendril. Allow the pitcher to fully die before gently cutting it off. If the browning process continues from the pitcher into the leaf and the leaf also starts to die than you might be dealing with root rot.
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