How to Grow a Sundew Plant

The carnivorous Sundew plant (Drosera) grows in most continents. To date, over 160 species exist. Some species thrive in bogs and swamps, while others tolerate mountainous regions and colder places like lower Alaska. The Sundew secretes a sticky substance on the tips of tentacles that draw insects. Once trapped, the plant dissolves the insect with enzymes and acid.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sphagnum moss
• Peat moss
• Perlite
• Pot
• Dish
• Shed or garage
• Pot covering
• Terrarium

1. Grow sundews outside with at least 6 hours of full sun and little shade.

2. Provide sphagnum moss or mix 1 part peat moss and 1 part perlite in the potted plant.

3. Water so that the soil remains wet. Have a dish or bowl underneath a pot with a drain hole; always keep standing water. Use distilled or rain water for best results.

4. Watch for slow growth and black leaves in early fall for Sundew's that go dormant over the winter. Some need warm temperatures throughout the year, but plants such as the English Sundew even grows in Canada.

5. Move the potted Sundew to an unheated shed or garage.

6. Keep standing water in the dish during the 4-month dormant period.

7. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or tarp. Remove on days when temperatures reach 40 degrees F.

Tips & Warnings

• Know the growing zones for the Sundew you plan to grow. A Lance-Leafed Sundew needs temperatures above 40 degrees F. In cold zones, grow these kinds of Drosera in a terrarium for best results.
• Consider repotting yearly. Change the soil mixture and use a larger pot. February remains the best time.
• Contact local nurseries for possible selection, order or delivery.
• Never use fertilizer or potting soil for the Sundew. The plant receives its nutrients from the insects it catches.
• Avoid feeding the carnivorous plant meat or table scraps.
• Don't repot when the plants begin to grow.