Nepenthes (lowii x veitchii) x burbidgeae

Description & Care

Tom Bennet

By Tom Bennet

Last updated on Jan 19, 2025

I've been growing a wide variety of carnivorous plants for over 2 decades. I got my first Venus flytrap at age 10 and now have an entire greenhouse full of carnivores.

When it comes to Nepenthes, my collection is predominantly species and primary hybrids (i.e. simple crosses). But for this one I’d happily make an exception - in the right conditions, it’s undoubtedly one of the most attractive plants in my collection.

The specimen that I grow was originally from Exotica Plants in Australia, and its full name was N. (lowii × veitchii) - red × burbidgeae. The grex was made sometime around 2016/2017, and I’ve had this plant since then. All three of the parent species grow in close proximity to one another in Borneo, so it’s possible that this cross existed in the wild at some point in the past. That fact, too, appeals to me about this particular hybrid.

I found this plant to be a very slow grower for the first few years I had it. It made a leaf or two per year and would occasionally deign to give me a pitcher. Much like N. lowii, however, it seemed to take off once it reached about 20cm in diamater. It now produces big, thick, glossy leaves reminiscent of N. lowii and very long-lasting pitchers with clear influence from all 3 parent species. The pitchers turn an incredible shade of red in good highland conditions.