Sundews (Drosera)
Sundews catch insects on sticky, glittering tentacles, then slowly curl their leaves around the prey. They're the easiest carnivorous plants to keep indoors. The Cape sundew (Drosera capensis) grows fast, flowers on a windowsill and often seeds itself into neighboring pots. There are around 200 species, from tiny pygmy sundews to the forked leaves of Drosera binata.
How to choose Sundews
- First sundew: Drosera capensis or D. spatulata. Both are fast, forgiving and need no winter rest.
- Statement plant: D. binata grows forked leaves a foot long and catches gnats by the dozen.
- Temperate species: D. rotundifolia and D. filiformis need a cold winter dormancy like a Venus flytrap.
Sundews at a glance
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright window or LED; more light means more color and dew |
| Water | Distilled, rain or RO water; keep the soil wet, tray method |
| Soil | Peat and perlite or silica sand, 1:1 |
| Humidity | Average indoor humidity is fine for capensis and spatulata |
| Dormancy | None for tropical types; temperate species need a cold rest |
| Size | 1 inch (pygmy) to 12+ inches (binata, capensis) |
How to pot a sundew
- Mix peat moss and perlite or silica sand 1:1 and moisten it with distilled water.
- Use a 3 to 4 inch plastic pot with drainage holes.
- Plant the sundew at the same depth it was growing, firming the mix around the roots.
- Water from below by standing the pot in a tray of pure water about half an inch deep.
- Place it in your brightest window or under a grow light for 12 to 14 hours a day.
Common problems
- No sticky dew: Usually low light or low humidity. More light is the fix most of the time. New leaves come in dewy.
- Leaves turning black: Old leaves die back as new ones grow. Lots at once points to tap water or fertilizer.
- Mold on caught bugs: Normal in stagnant air. Improve airflow and don't overfeed.
FAQ
Are sundews good for fungus gnats?
Yes. Cape sundews are some of the best natural gnat traps for a houseplant collection.
Do sundews need a terrarium?
Most common species don't. A terrarium can cause rot from poor airflow.
How do I propagate a sundew?
Lay a leaf on damp peat or cut a root into pieces. Many species, especially capensis, also self-seed freely.
Do sundews need feeding indoors?
Not if they're catching gnats. Otherwise, a crumb of fish food or a small insect every few weeks is plenty.
Related collections
Carnivorous Plants · Venus Flytraps · Sarracenia Pitcher Plants · Nepenthes Tropical Pitcher Plants · Live Plants
