They are carnivorous, meaning they get most of their nutrients from insects and animals. Pitcher plants grow as vines and have pitcher, or cup-shaped, leaves that hold acidic liquids. These liquids trap and kill insects and small animals necessary for their survival. Pitcher plants attract insects with their bright colors and sweet smelling nectar. The slippery rims of the cup-shaped leaves, along with the small hairs inside, help them catch their prey. The Pitcher plant primarily grows in nutrient poor soil because it gets its nutrients from the insects and animals it consumes. When the plant becomes fertile, it produces seeds that are taken in the wind and distributed among the forest floor. With enough light and moisture, the new seeds germinate, starting a new life cycle. Pitcher plants are often nicknamed monkey cups because monkeys have been known to drink rainwater from the cup-shaped