Heliamphora Digestion: Bacterial Decay, Not Enzymes

Question: Dropped mealworm piece into Heliamphora pitcher, sprayed water—piece disappeared, no fluid buildup. Do pitchers funnel food to roots?

Answer: Heliamphora produce no digestive enzymes or fluid. They rely on bacterial decay; pitcher fluid is rainwater. On their native tepuis, constant rainfall fills pitchers.

Good Growing!

— Jeff Dallas, Sarracenia Northwest