Sundew (Drosera) Care Guide

Sundews (Drosera) catch prey with leaves covered in glistening, sticky tentacles, and many species slowly curl their leaves around what they catch. With species on nearly every continent, they're one of the largest and most varied groups of carnivorous plants, and many are among the easiest carnivorous plants to grow.

Types of sundews

• Subtropical sundews like the Cape sundew (D. capensis) grow year-round and are forgiving beginner plants.
• Tropical sundews like D. burmannii and D. serpens grow fast in warm conditions and often seed themselves.
• Queensland sundews like D. prolifera, D. adelae, and D. schizandra come from rainforest floors and prefer lower light and high humidity.
• Temperate sundews from colder climates need a winter dormancy, like Venus flytraps.

Water

Use distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water only. Keep the soil consistently moist using the tray method, with pots sitting in 0.5 to 1 inch of water.

Light

Most sundews want full sun or strong grow lights. Good light is what produces heavy dew and red coloration. Queensland sundews are the exception and do best in shade or bright indirect light.

Soil

Peat moss mixed with perlite or sand works for most species. Our Bog Soil Mix is ready to use. Queensland sundews also grow well in pure long-fiber sphagnum.

Humidity

Most sundews adapt to normal household humidity once settled, though dew production is heaviest at 50% or higher. Queensland sundews need 70% or more, usually in a terrarium or greenhouse.

Feeding

Sundews catch gnats and small flies on their own. Indoors, you can feed small insects or a pinch of crumbled fish food placed on the leaves. Unlike flytraps, sundews don't need live prey, since the sticky dew does the work.

Dormancy

Subtropical, tropical, and Queensland sundews grow year-round and should be kept warm. Temperate sundews need a cool winter rest of 3 to 4 months, during which many form tight winter buds called hibernacula.

Propagation

Many sundews are easy to propagate. Cape and tropical sundews produce plenty of seed, D. prolifera forms plantlets on its flower stalks, and Cape sundews also grow from leaf and root cuttings laid on moist soil.

Browse our sundews, read our Venus Flytrap Care Guide, or see the complete carnivorous plant care guide.

FAQ

Why isn't my sundew making dew?

The most common causes are low humidity, not enough light, or stress from shipping or repotting. Give it bright light and stable conditions, and the dew usually returns within a couple of weeks.

Do sundews need a winter dormancy?

Only temperate species. Cape sundews, tropical sundews like D. burmannii, and Queensland sundews like D. prolifera grow year-round.

Can I feed my sundew dead insects or fish food?

Yes. Sundews don't need live prey. Small dead insects or a light pinch of crumbled fish food on the leaves works well, especially for plants grown indoors.

Why are baby sundews popping up in my other pots?

Cape and tropical sundews self-seed readily, and the seeds spread easily to nearby pots. Trim the flower stalks before they set seed if you want to prevent it.