How to Care for Sundews (Drosera): Quick Reference Guide
If you want to know how to care for sundews without digging through forum threads and conflicting advice, this guide gives you everything in one place. The infographic above is a quick visual reference, and below I’m expanding on each section so the why behind each requirement makes sense too.
Sundews, or Drosera, are some of the most beautiful and genuinely easy to grow carnivorous plants out there. They’re sticky, glistening, and rewarding to watch as they catch insects with their dew covered tentacles. If you’ve been intimidated by carnivorous plants in general, sundews are one of the best places to start.
Light
Bright light is essential for healthy sundews. Aim for 4 to 6 hours of direct sun, or use strong grow lights if you’re growing indoors. Light isn’t just about keeping the plant alive either, it directly affects how much dew the plant produces and how vivid its coloration becomes. A sundew kept in low light will survive, but it’ll look pale, sparse, and won’t produce nearly as much of that signature glistening dew.
Water
Use distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water, and keep the soil consistently moist at all times. Like nearly every carnivorous plant, sundews are sensitive to the minerals found in tap water, and over time those minerals build up in the soil and damage the plant. Keeping the soil moist rather than letting it dry out and rewetting repeatedly also helps maintain the consistent conditions sundews prefer.
Soil
Use a mix of 50% peat moss and 50% perlite. Never use fertilized soil. Sundews, like other carnivorous plants, evolved in nutrient poor environments and get their nutrients from insects rather than the ground. Regular potting soil, even good quality potting soil meant for other houseplants, contains far too many nutrients and will harm rather than help a sundew.
Humidity
Most sundews prefer 40 to 60% humidity, though tropical species do appreciate higher humidity if you can provide it. The good news is that compared to some other carnivorous plants, sundews are fairly forgiving on this front and don’t typically require a dedicated humidity setup the way something like a Nepenthes does.
Temperature
Most species prefer a range of 60 to 85°F (15 to 29°C). Some sundew species can tolerate cooler temperatures as well, particularly temperate species that experience seasonal changes in their native habitats. With over 200 known sundew species, requirements do vary somewhat, so it’s worth researching the specific species you’re growing if you want to fine tune conditions further.
Feeding
Sundews are excellent hunters and will catch their own food if given the chance, especially if kept outdoors or near an open window where insects can reach them. If you’re growing indoors with limited insect access, you can supplement by feeding small insects occasionally. It’s not strictly necessary, but it can encourage faster growth.
Quick tips worth remembering for How to Care for Sundews
The sticky droplets covering sundew leaves are completely normal, that’s the plant doing exactly what it’s designed to do, so resist the urge to touch them since it can damage the delicate tentacles. Keep the soil consistently moist rather than soaked through, there’s a meaningful difference between the two. More light generally means more color and more dew production, so if your plant looks pale or sparse, light is usually the first thing to check. And keep in mind that different sundew species can have slightly different preferences, so if something seems off, it’s worth double checking the specific needs of the species you’re growing.
Quick reference summary: How to Care for Sundews
| Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Light | 4-6 hours direct sun, or strong grow lights |
| Water | Distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis, soil moist at all times |
| Soil | 50% peat moss, 50% perlite, never fertilized |
| Humidity | 40-60%, tropical species prefer higher |
| Temperature | 60-85°F, some species tolerate cooler |
| Feeding | Self-sufficient outdoors, optional indoors |
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