Drosera, Sundews
Type: Carnivorous | Size: Medium, Up to 60cm tall.
Sundew carnivorous plants are a great addition to terrariums. They capture and digest insects using glands over their leaves.
How to grow and care for Sundews (Drosera)
Drosera is one of the largest carnivorous genera, found on every continent except Antarctica. The easy, evergreen subtropical species, such as the Cape sundew Drosera capensis, D. spatulata and D. aliciae, are the terrarium favourites. They trap insects on glistening, sticky tentacles that slowly curl around the prey.
Best terrarium setup for Sundews (Drosera)
Subtropical sundews thrive in a closed or partly closed terrarium; the high, steady humidity keeps their dew glistening and their traps working. Grow them in wet peat and sand and they will often self-seed into a happy little colony. They are ideal companions for other humidity-loving carnivores.
Light
Bright light brings out red tentacles and heavy dew; in low light they turn green and the dew thins. A bright window or a grow light overhead keeps them colourful and compact.
Temperature and dormancy
This is the one thing to check. Subtropical species such as the Cape sundew have no dormancy and are happy at steady warm room temperatures, roughly 18 to 28 degrees C, which suits a closed terrarium perfectly. Temperate and tuberous sundews, by contrast, need a cool winter rest, so know your species.
Watering
Keep the soil permanently wet with rainwater, distilled or reverse-osmosis water, ideally by standing the pot in a shallow tray of that pure water. They are thirsty and rarely object to being wet.
Humidity
High humidity is ideal and a sealed terrarium is a genuine advantage, keeping the dew heavy and the traps sticky.
Feeding
They catch their own fungus gnats and small flies, which makes them useful pest control in a plant collection. If you want to feed a young plant, a single rehydrated bloodworm on a leaf every couple of weeks is plenty. The tentacles will slowly curl to wrap it.
Common mistakes to avoid
The main mistakes are using tap water, letting the soil dry out, and assuming every sundew is tropical when some need a cold winter. Pick a subtropical species, keep it wet with pure water in bright light, and it is close to foolproof.
Is Sundews (Drosera) right for your terrarium?
Sundews are the perfect starter carnivore for a terrarium, and the subtropical species will happily live in a closed jar for years. Their dew-covered leaves sparkle, catch fungus gnats for you, and forgive plenty of beginner mistakes. Just check whether your species is tropical or temperate before you buy.
Where to buy Drosera:
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