Common name: Sundew
Scientific name: Drosera
Common Info:
 Sundews can be found on every continent of the world with Antarctica being the only exception. They are most often found in nutrient poor wet environments such as fens and bogs.

They are characterized by having tentacles on their leaves that are capable of movement and that exude a small drop of sticky mucilage from the tips. On a sunny day the mucilage sparkles in the sunlight giving the plants the appearance that they are covered with dew, thus the source of their common name.

The dew on their leaves is also the initial mechanism by which the plants derive the nutrients for their survival.
Insects are attracted to the dew, get caught on it much like flypaper and the surrounding tentacles move toward the victim further attaching to it. On most species of sundew the leaves will also slowly wrap around the victim at which point digestive fluids are secreted from specialized cells in the leaf allowing digestion to take place.
 
Care:
Most sundews are fairly easy to grow in a humid environment. They will thrive in bright light, direct sun need not be avoided as it will bring out the color in them. There are tropical, sub-tropical and temperate sundews and their care requirements differ according to the climactic zone the plants are native to. Although the plants can tolerate temperatures from about 40 degrees F, it is best to keep temperatures between 55-80 degrees F. Potting in a 4-6 inch plastic pot should be adequate if the tray system for humidity is used as some of these plants can grow quite large, up to 1 foot across. The best soil mixes for it include 50/50 sand and peat moss or 2 parts peat moss and 1 part perlite. Keep the plant moist to wet but not sitting in water and do not allow to dry out. Pale stringy growth indicates more light is needed and a healthy plant will have red on the tentacles. With most sundews, water on the leaves is not advised. Feeding is not usually needed as the plants capture small gnats and other insects. In a situation where the plants cannot catch insects, it is beneficial to sprinkle a few ant sized insects on a leaf a few times a year. Dead insects work well and are less likely to crawl off.
 
 
 

Rosetted Sundews

Drosera anglica

Drosera adelae


Drosera dielsiana, Drosera spatulata and Drosera tokaiensis are all members of the rosetted subtropical sundews which means that they do not need dormancy. They are very prolific plants and you'll find that they flower constantly showing clusters of tiny pink, white and purple flowers. There are many different forms of rosetted subtropical sundews with colors ranging from all green to a glowing red and growing in a nice rosette shape to 4" in diameter. A good tip to follow if you want your plant to have lots of red coloration is to plant it into a mainly peat soil mix and give it plenty of bright light. The plants will tolerate higher temperatures and direct sun if kept sitting in distilled or rain water.
 


The temperate forms of these beautiful Sundews that go dormant in winter can be found in eastern Canada, the United States and Europe. They can be found growing in wet bog areas with some of the temperate forms growing semi-aquatically in a few inches of water. The basic planting mix of 50% peat, 25% washed sand and 25% perlite works well for them if the container that they are planted in his left sitting in an inch or so of water during their growing season. The plants can reach a very nice size and live quite a few years if they are given at least two months winter dormancy every year.
 


Drosera adelae, often called the lanced-leafed sundew, is a native of Australia and grows there in the tropical rain forest where there is little difference in temperatures which makes it another sundew that does not need dormancy.  If kept in a terrarium under fluorescent lights or bright indirect light the plant can grow quite large, often obtaining 10 inches in diameter with a nice red glow from the dew on its tentacles. When Drosera adelae flowers it puts up a tall flower spike with nice red flowers but a person does not have to worry about seed to propagate this plant as young plants will develop profusely from the roots if the plant is kept in ideal conditions.
       
 

Drosera capensis 

Drosera capensis 'Red'

Drosera intermedia


The Cape Sundew from Africa is fairly easy to grow in a humid environment. It will thrive in bright light, direct sun should be avoided unless weak winter sun is used as this Drosera does not need winter dormancy. Although the plants can tolerate temperatures from about 40 degrees F, it is best to keep temperatures between 55-80 degrees F. Potting in a 4-6 inch plastic pot should be adequate if the tray system for humidity is used as these plants can grow quite large, up to 1 foot across. The best soil mixes for it include 50/50 sand and peat moss or 2 parts peat moss and 1 part perlite. Keep the plant moist to wet but not sitting in water and do not allow to dry out. Pale stringy growth indicates more light is needed and a healthy plant will have red on the tentacles. Bright pink flowers appear on tall stems and will produce a lot of seed if conditions are good. Remove the flower stalk if seed is not desired as this plant can become a weed in ideal conditions.


An all red form of capensis. As with other CP's it's true colour is represented when grown under direct sun.


The temperate forms of these beautiful Sundews that go dormant in winter can be found in eastern Canada, the United States and Europe. Tropical forms that do not go dormant range from Florida to South America and can also be found in Cuba. They can be found growing in wet bog areas with some of the temperate forms growing semi-aquatically in a few inches of water. The basic planting mix of 50% peat, 25% washed sand and 25% perlite works well for them if the container that they are planted in his left sitting in an inch or so of water during their growing season. Drosera intermedia is a very easy plant to care for if the five basic rules are followed, can display a very beautiful red and maroon coloration under bright light and make excellent terrarium plants. The plants can reach a very nice size and live quite a few years if they are given at least two months winter dormancy every year.
 
       
 

Drosera binata

Drosera spathulata

Drosera nidiformis


The majority of Fork Leaf Sundews are found along the southeastern coast of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia. They are also found in Tasmania and New Zealand. Fork Leaf Sundews require a lot of sun to maintain their dewy appearance. Grow them in a location where they can receive up to 4 hours of direct sun and very bright indirect light for the rest of the day. Avoid direct afternoon sun during the summer months. If a sunny window is not possible, use 40W fluorescent tubes keeping the light source approximately 8 inches above the plant. The light should be on for 14 hours during spring and summer, and 12 hours during fall and winter. Avoid using incandescent bulbs. They produce too much heat and are the wrong type of light spectrum.
Fork Leaf Sundews require nutrient-free soil that provides good drainage. Use the standard soil mixture of 50% peat moss, 25% washed sand and 25% perlite. Keep the pot in standing water to keep the soil wet at all times. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. When watering use rainwater for best results but distilled or RO water will suffice. If you have your plant in a hanging basket, it may be necessary to water your plant several times a week.
This particular species can tolerate light frosts and will go dormant. It is best that dormancy be allowed although it is not required and this binata will grow all year round provided that the light intensity remains high and the temperature never goes below 60 degrees F. During the winter months, they will drop their leaves and go dormant below 50 degrees F. It is during their dormancy when they are capable of tolerating a light frost but protection is necessary when temperatures go below 25 degrees F.
 


Drosera spatulata is a member of the rosetted subtropical sundews which means that it does not need dormancy. They are very prolific plants and you'll find that they flower constantly showing clusters of tiny pink, white and purple flowers.  A lot of study has been done on the different forms and their chromosomal differences but I have found a difference in coloration to occur in my clones so the appearance of your plant will always be varied. A good tip to follow if you want your plant to have lots of red coloration is to plant it into a mainly peat soil mix and give it plenty of bright light. The plants will tolerate higher temperatures and direct sun if kept sitting in distilled or rain water.
 
Drosera nidiformis is a small paddle leaf sundew from South Africa. Although the plants can tolerate temperatures from about 40 degrees F, it is best to keep temperatures between 55-80 degrees F. Potting in a 3-4 inch plastic pot should be adequate if the tray system for humidity is used although the plants can stand lower humidity. They will develop a nice red hew if they are able to receive as much direct sun as possible without being overheated. Care is much the same as for Cape sundews.