Nepenthes gracilis comes from Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra and Sulawesi. It is found at low altitudes, growing below around 750 meters. Nepenthes gracilis is a lowland plant being found mostly in shaded jungles. It is a very easy plant to grow under lowland conditions. Tropical pitcher plants generally grow as vines, climbing over other plants, and may grow as epiphytes, growing on other plants in the forest canopy, or as low shrubs. That plant grows well as a hanging basket plant. It makes an excellent terrarium plant due to its small size. This small vinging species produces elegant, narrow pitchers that dangle from the tips of narrow green leaves. The tendril is used both to support the plant as it climbs up through the undergrowth and the trap itself which forms from it. The vine is notorious for dividing as it grows. You will have to prune this plant frequently, as it grows faster than grass when it is kept hot and humid. The traps start out at first as a small swelling, but quickly expand to their full size over the course of several weeks. The slender pitchers, which average around 6-10 cm in length, are usually green in colour with faint red-purple markings. The lid opens to reveal digestive fluids in the bottom of the trap. Prey is attracted by the gaudy colours and nectar produced by the trap, under the lid, which does not close and around the rim. The pitchers of Nepenthes species have a smooth lining. Insects and other small animals that are attracted to the pitchers cannot maintain a grip on this slippery surface and fall into the pitcher. Once they move their way inside, they lose their footing and slip into the nectar. The nectar is also quite intoxicating. The lower section inside the trap is covered in digestive glands and these quickly dissolve the soft parts of the prey, leaving the remains to drop down to the bottom into the soup. The plant has two types of traps, lower and upper. While in some species the upper and lower pitchers look similar, there are others where the two are so distinctly different that you would swear they are two different species. The upper pitchers are generally smaller than lower pitchers, often lacking wings, and attached to the tendril at the back. These upper pitcher tendrils, before forming a pitcher, will often curl around an object such as a branch, to give the climbing stem support. Nepenthes are dioecious, male and female flowers exist on different plants. If you have several plants, and a few are blooming, then you may be able to pollinate them. Hardiness zone 10, (1øC/35øF) in Winter. The key to this plant is keeping it warm with very high humidity. It will make it grow extremely fast. Use diffused light and keep it out of direct sunlight, although in the wild it does grow in full sun. Light will color the traps of a distinctive red mottling color on the tops of the pitchers. Growing Lowlands usually requires a hot house or a heated terrarium. It seems fine at 80øF. Short day periods and cool temperatures are the most dangerous for the plants. Expect stress in Winter. Species of Nepenthes grow on soils that are poor in nutrients or on other plants where nutrients are not readily available. Plants, such as some Nepenthes, that grow on other plants, but do not take nutrients from the supporting plants, are referred to as epiphytes. In order to grow in places that are poor in nutrients, Nepenthes have adapted a carnivorous lifestyle, which supplements their intake of nitrogen and other nutrients. The soil needs to be light and airy. All the plants grew in a very wet acidic sandy soil. Use pure part peat moss. You can also use a mix of equal parts of peet moss, perlite, vermiculite and long-fibred sphagnum moss. The plants should be watered regularly but should not be left standing in water at any time. Try too keep them warm and humid but not stagnant and wet. Use rain water or distillated water, hard city water will kill your carnivorous plant. Lowlands and Highlands Nepenthes like high humidity, but more for lowlands, and watering should be done when the soil starts to look dry on the top.