Nepenthes lowii x truncata
A huge pitcher on my mature specimen. This one has just started vining, and subsequent pitchers exhibited an even wider pitcher mouth. 
A lower pitcher on my larger plant, as it was several years ago. This one has always had red lower pitchers. 
A small pitcher on a juvenile plant - this one has a bright green pitcher body and is very reminiscent of N. lowii. 
An aged pitcher on my largest plant - note the dark red peristome and exudate produced on the underside of the lid. 
My red-pitchered form, as it was several years ago. This is from Exotica Plants' latest grex. 
No lid bristles inherited from N. lowii, but a robust pitcher body and a striped peristome. Description & Care
Nepenthes lowii x truncata is one of the most coveted and immediately-recognisable Nepenthes hybrids in the world. It was first created back in the early 2000s by Exotica Plants (EP) of Australia, and some of the originally selected cultivars can still be found in collections today; these include ‘wide peristome’, ‘giant’, and ‘squat’.
It has been recreated several times in the years since. EP themselves produced a new grex of this cross around 2020/2021, which is where my plants come from. This version used the Mount Kinabalu form of Nepenthes lowii and their giant, striped, male Nepenthes truncata. The reverse cross has also been created by Carnivero in Texas, who used their N. truncata (d) “Red Flush” and an N. lowii originating from Mount Trusmadi.
Much like its cousin N. truncata x ephippiata, this is a plant which can reach enormous proportions. In the warmer time of year it makes some of the biggest and most stunning pitchers in my greenhouse. Being a cross between a highlander and an intermediate/lowlander, it grows happily in a wide variety of conditions and is unfussy. Give it lots of bright light and fertiliser, keep it fairly warm and humid, and it will throw out huge pitchers like there’s no tomorrow.
While it’s very hard to get hold of, I’d highly recommend hunting one down if you have sufficient space.
How I Grow It
| Media | Long fibre sphagnum moss, perlite, and - optionally - orchid bark (2:1:1). |
| Water | Damp but not wet. Drinks a lot during summer, especially if humidity drops. |
| Light | Very bright, diffused light. |
| Fertiliser | It's a hungry one! I half-fill the (huge) pitchers with Maxsea / liquid orchid feed every few weeks. |
| Temperatures | 12°C (54°F) minimum year-round, with summer highs of ~ 30°C (86°F). |
| Humidity | 70% during the day, rising to over 90% at night. |
Learn more about cultivation with my guide to growing Nepenthes.
Day & Night Temperatures
The female parent - Nepenthes lowii - is a highland species found at elevations of between 1650 and 2600 meters. The male parent - Nepenthes truncata - is a widely distributed species found at elevations of between 0 and 1500 meters.
On average, the hybrid N. lowii x truncata is likely to grow best with temperatures of approximately 22 - 31°C during the day, and 12 - 21°C at night. This range is highlighted in purple above. For further guidance on the cultivation requirements of hybrids, try out my Nepenthes Interactive Guide .
Buying N. lowii x truncata
| Availability | Not in tissue culture, so only available from cuttings. These are always in-demand so command a high price. |
| Borneo Exotics codes |
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| Recommended nursery | California Carnivores Hampshire Carnivorous Plants |
See Also
I've written profiles of these related hybrids:
