Common name: Heli, Sun Pitcher Scientific name: Heliamphora minor Common Info: Heliamphora minor is one of the more widely available species in the genus for cultivation. Typically, H. minor is grown under strong fluorescent lights in a terrarium, or in a greenhouse with partial sunlight. Like other carnivorous plants, H. minor requires water free from added minerals and chemicals. It can survive a wide range of temperatures, preferably around 70-90 degrees, however during the night the temperature should drop to around 10 degrees less than the day temperature. Although it is carnivorous, H. minor does not need to be fed to live or thrive. Soil for H. minor must be low in nutrients. Combinations of washed sand, orchid bark, long fibered sphagnum moss (dried or living), peat moss, and perlite may be used. Heliamphora plants also require a high humidity level, which can be achieved in a greenhouse or terrarium.   Care: We use a potting mix of 25% Canadian sphagnum peat moss, 25%  LFS and 50% perlite to imitate the loose substrate that the plants grow in naturally. A deep pot is best as the roots grow quite deep in search of water. Unlike Dionaea and Drosera, Heliamphora does not tolerate sitting in standing water but fortunately, as the recommended potting mix retains moisture well, a watering once or twice a week is all a plant needs. The plants do best under bright light, developing smaller traps with much red coloring in full sun and larger green traps under artificial light. Heliamphora are also very good terrarium plants because of their smaller size and due to the fact that they do very well under artificial lighting. The plant does very well with cooler temperatures and high humidity.