How to Grow Sundew’s - Drosera

Drosera – Sundews

Quick Care Summary

  • Light: Bright light to full sun
  • Water: Distilled, rain, or RO only — keep wet (tray method)
  • Soil: Peat + perlite or sphagnum mix (no nutrients)
  • Humidity: Moderate to high preferred (40–70%+)
  • Temperature: 65–85°F for most types
  • Dormancy: Depends on species (many tropical types do not require it)
  • Feeding: Optional — catches its own food easily
  • Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (very beginner-friendly species available)

Drosera, or sundews, are some of the easiest and most rewarding carnivorous plants to grow. Their sticky, glistening tentacles trap insects effortlessly, and under good conditions they grow fast and often multiply on their own.

They come from a wide range of climates, but most commonly grown types are tropical or subtropical and thrive indoors or outdoors with the right light and water.

Growing Conditions – Dial This In

Most commonly grown sundews are tropical and do not require dormancy, making them excellent for beginners.

Light

  • Bright light to full sun
  • 4–8+ hours of direct sun preferred
  • Strong grow lights work great indoors

Signs:
Weak growth and no dew → not enough light
Red coloration and heavy dew → ideal conditions

Temperature

  • Most species: 65–85°F (18–29°C)
  • Tolerates warmer temps with proper watering

Some temperate species require dormancy, but most common varieties do not.

Humidity

  • Preferred: 40–70%+
  • Can adapt to lower humidity if watered well

Good airflow is important—avoid stagnant, enclosed setups.

Space

  • Compact plants that stay low-growing
  • Great for windowsills, trays, and small grow setups

Beginner Varieties

  • Drosera capensis – extremely easy, fast-growing
  • Drosera spatulata – compact and forgiving
  • Drosera aliciae – great rosette form
  • Drosera binata – forked leaves, very vigorous
  • Drosera tokaiensis – fast and self-seeding

Soil – Low Nutrient Only

  • 1:1 peat moss + perlite
  • Or long-fiber sphagnum + perlite

Avoid: fertilizers in soil, potting mix, compost

Watering – Keep It Wet

  • Use only distilled, rain, or RO water
  • Tray method preferred (½–1 inch of water)
  • Keep soil consistently wet

Never let them dry out—this quickly kills roots.

Feeding – Fast Growth Booster

  • Outdoors: catches insects naturally
  • Indoors: small insects, crushed bugs, or fish food flakes

Optional boost:

  • 1/4 strength MaxSea once a month

Apply lightly to leaves or as a fine foliar spray once established.

Do not overfeed—too much fertilizer can damage the plant.

Repotting

  • Every 1–2 years
  • Or when soil breaks down

Many sundews self-seed or divide, quickly filling pots.

Dormancy

Depends on species:

  • Tropical sundews: no dormancy required
  • Temperate sundews: require winter dormancy

Most beginner species (capensis, spatulata, aliciae) grow year-round.

Common Issues

  • No dew → not enough light or poor water quality
  • Slow growth → needs feeding or better light
  • Browning leaves → normal aging or stress
  • Sudden decline → usually bad water or drying out

Quick Reality Check

If your sundew isn’t thriving, it’s usually:

  • Not enough light
  • Wrong water
  • Too dry

Fix those and they grow fast and multiply easily.

Pro tip: Once happy, many sundews will self-seed and spread without any effort.