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Sundews are some of the most magical-looking carnivorous plants you can grow. Their leaves are covered in sparkling droplets of sticky “dew” that trap tiny insects and slowly digest them.
These plants are also wonderfully forgiving and are often one of the easiest carnivorous plants for beginners to grow. With good light, pure water, and the right soil, they quickly become happy little bug-catching machines.
The MOST Important Part!
Getting the lighting right is often the difference between a plant simply surviving and one that truly thrives.
Most Sundews enjoy full to partial sun, and typically need at least 6 hours of direct light per day to grow well.
They can grow beautifully on a bright windowsill indoors, especially one that receives strong morning sunlight. In fact, I find this to be the perfect environment for them.
If your Sundew isn’t producing those beautiful sticky droplets (the “dew”), the most common cause is not enough light — sometimes combined with low humidity.
Adjusting to their New Home.
Fortunately, Sundews tend to adapt quite easily. The most common thing you may notice initially is reduced dew production. Don’t worry — once the plant settles in and receives enough light and water, the dew will return.
Because the plant has experienced the stress of shipping, it’s best to place it in bright dappled light or gentle morning sun for about a week before moving it into stronger sunlight.
You may also notice some older lower leaves dying back. This is completely normal as the plant grows and adjusts, and new leaves will quickly replace them.
When I receive new plants, I usually give them a light spray of Novion to help ease the stress of transport.
Novion can be purchased on the Accessories Page.
PURE is PERFECT.
Always use PURE water such as Rainwater, Distilled Water, or Reverse Osmosis (R.O.) Water.
Sundews enjoy plenty of water and are happiest when kept in a tray of water.
A good guideline is to keep the pot sitting in water so that roughly ¼ of the pot height is submerged.
Letting the tray dry out for a day before refilling is perfectly fine and actually helps fresh air reach the roots.
Many growers also like to use larger water trays, as the increased surface area helps raise the surrounding humidity slightly through evaporation — something Sundews appreciate.
Poor Soil makes Happy Plants.
Carnivorous plants require nutrient-deficient soil, so never use normal potting soil or anything containing fertilizers.
Sundews grow very well in a standard carnivorous plant mix, typically: 1 part peat moss to 1 part perlite
Many Sundews develop long roots, so they generally prefer deeper pots rather than wider ones.
Repotting is only necessary when you see roots growing out through the drainage holes or when refreshing the soil mix after a few years.
Carnivorous soil mix suitable for Sundews can be purchased on the Accessories Page.
For more info on Soil & Potting refer to my BLOG ON REPOTTING.
If you Absolutely Cannot Resist!
Carnivorous plants are excellent hunters and usually catch all the food they need on their own.
When grown outdoors, Sundews will happily catch small flying insects such as gnats, flies, and midges.
Sunlight remains their primary source of energy, so feeding is never essential.
However, if you really cannot resist helping them along, you can occasionally feed:
• Small live insects
• Fresh dead bugs
• Finely crushed goldfish flakes sprinkled lightly onto the sticky dew
Avoid feeding freeze-dried mealworms, as Sundews often struggle to digest their hard outer shell.
Sundews can also benefit from a light foliar fertilizer spray such as Novion, applied gently to the leaves. If excess liquid reaches the soil, simply flush the pot with pure water the following day.
Novion is available on the Accessories Page.
Never Fear. Help is Near.
Just like any other plant, Sundews can occasionally attract pests.
The most common culprit is aphids, which tend to target young shoots and flower stalks.
These can usually be controlled with a diluted pyrethrin-based insecticide, such as Cypermethrin.
Check plants weekly, and if pests appear, treat promptly. Some leaves may be lost during a heavy infestation, but Sundews are fast growers and will quickly produce new leaves.
To Chill or Not to Chill.
Sundews grow across many parts of the world, so different species prefer different climates.
Most tropical Sundews, which are the ones commonly sold, grow well in temperatures between:
10°C and 35°C
The varieties we sell generally grow happily year-round in moderate climates, unless specifically stated on the Product Page.
The Big Snooze.
Cape Sundews and other sub-tropical sundews can be grown year-round in warmer climates and do not require winter dormancy.
However, if you live in a cooler climate, the plant will go dormant but will bounce back when the weather gets hotter. This will not be detrimental to the plant, and in fact, this winter break will assist with better growth next season.
However if your plant is still very young, or you live in a freezing area, bring your plant indoors, and place it on a warm windowsill that gets a few hours of direct morning sun.
If your plant enters dormancy, reduce watering so that the soil gets just damp, before filling the tray again.
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