The typical habitat of N. mantalingajanensis is upper montane forest and scrub vegetation. Plants growing on the summit are very stunted and grow amongst subalpine shrubbery with a wind-clipped canopy that rarely exceeds 80 cm. In such open sites, N. mantalingajanensis is exposed to direct sunlight and frequently flowers at a height of less than 25 cm. Like its close relatives, N. mantalingajanensis is apparently outcompeted by bamboo.
