Description & Care

When it comes to Nepenthes, I find naturally-occurring hybrids particularly appealing. N. burbidgeae x lowii is known to grow in the wild in parts of Borneo where the distribution of the two parent species overlap, but it is rare.

This particular cross exhibits some of the most striking colouration of all the plants in my collection. Like N. veitchii x burbidgeae, the plant inherits a tri-coloured peristome of red, maroon, and cream from the male parent (N. burbidgeae). This stands out wonderfully against the all-red body of the lower pitchers, which are quite reminiscent of N. lowii in terms of their size and conspicuous lid hairs. I love looking at this plant, and I’m really looking forward to seeing the uppers in another year or so.

This is not an easy hybrid to find. It’s been produced at least once horticulturally, and despite being put into tissue culture by Andreas Wistuba in Germany, it’s rarely available for sale. My particular plant is from his original seed-grown release, and is now about 4 or 5 years old.