Actually, only some carnivorous plants want much higher light levels than orchids. A setup geared toward Nepenthes will probably have what orchid growers would consider medium light (Dendrobium-Cattleya light) whereas Droseras usually need higher light, Pings need higher light if you want color, and Heliamphoras need full blast, intense light. I have a Nepenthes, some Pings and some Droseras in my orchid tank right now and the Nepenthes has consistently red leaves (a sign of light stress, though not necessarily a bad thing) at Cattleya light.
Here are some plants I have grown alongside my Nepenthes and that I think would give you interesting color and texture:
- Pleurothallis prolifera - gets deep red under high light, likes much more light and slightly less water than most of the genus
- Dendrobium cuthbertsonii - cute bumpy leaves that can have shades of red and purple under high light, brilliant flowers that last for months. This one has a reputation for not wanting to go above 80F but I got mine from a seller who says his temps go into the 90s in summer and I think night temperature drop and pure water are more important. Needs R/O or distilled water, constant moisture, and brighter light than most Dendrobiums.
- Meiracyllium trinasutum - Cattleya relative, leaves turn purple under very bright (Vanda) light but it will bloom under less, wants to dry out between watering. Mine came from Andy's with beautiful purple leaves and they reverted to green within months, I don't think I have a spot in my tank that is bright enough to color them up again.
- Lepanthopsis astrophora - I grew this in the pot with the Nepenthes for a year and its leaves turned purple which isn’t recommended for the plant, but it bloomed like crazy. Wonderful flushes of tiny starry blooms, wants constant moisture and low-medium light.
- Mediocalcar decoratum ‘variegated’ - just got this one so not as certain of care requirements but I believe it wants consistent moisture and lower light. The specimen I got has a slight pink blush at the edges of the leaves which is really cute, and I’m wondering if that’s a response to medium-high light. I’m going to experiment with placement to see if I can get more of that pink coloring.
- Epidendrum porpax - grows like a weed and leaves will turn red under high light
- Racinaea crispa - strange, ruffled and curled bromeliad that gets deep red under high light, the most important care tip I have heard is that it needs very pure water.
There may be some Neoregelias that could work for you as well, although they may not like the constant moisture as much as most of the plants I listed.
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