Nepenthes Hamata Cultivation

Nepenthes hamata is a wicked highland plant, producing a peristome that is made up of sharp spikes.

Cultivating Ease - Medium when young, easy once it reaches 6" in diameter.

Type - This plant is a highlander. It can live in a wide range of temperatures temporarily, as long as the humidity does not fluctuate.

Temperature - Hamata can grow as an intermediate for a while, but should be grown as a highland in the long run. High temperatures can be tolerated as long as the humidity remains high, which can be difficult to do. Young plants should be kept from high temps, as even moderate drops in humidity can kill the plant.

Humidity - This plant can NOT tolerate anything but a VERY HIGH HUMIDITY as a small plant, which is usually how one will be receiving the plant.   N. hamata has very thin leaves, especially when small, and the slightest drop in humidity can cause the leaves to wilt and pitchers to be destroyed. Keep the humidity above 85% at all times. It can tolerate humidity fluctuations once the plant reaches about 6" in diameter.

Light - Bright light to full  (diffused) sunlight.  It grows very well in a large chamber under lights.

Moisture - Keep the plant moist. Do not allow the soil to dry out. 

Soil - Long Fiber Sphagnum. This is an important soil for the plant as long fiber sphagnum will help increase the local humidity around smaller plants.

Size - The plant will eventually start climbing, at which time it may have to be pruned. The pitchers can approach a foot in length.

Details: Hamata produces pitchers in which the persitome is made up of curved spikes. These are more prominent in the upper pitchers, but the lower pitchers in even juvenile plants have strongly toothed peristomes. The pitchers resemble that of tentaculata except for the peristome.

Propagation - Easy from cuttings

Forms - Pitchers on some plants can vary from yellow green, red, and purple. There is also a hairy form.