Care Guide for Indoor/Tropical Drosera (Sundews)

Drosera (commonly known as sundews) is a genus of carnivorous plants that has adapted to thrive in nutrient-poor soils by capturing and digesting insects using sticky, glandular hairs on their leaves. They are great for helping control fungus gnat and fruit fly populations.

Soil

Use a nutrient-poor growing medium such as:

• 1:1 long fiber sphagnum moss and perlite
• 1:1 peat moss (without added fertilizer) and perlite
• 1:1 peat moss and silica sand

Do not use standard potting soil or compost, as these contain nutrients that can damage the roots.

Light

• Provide 6–8 hours of bright light each day. If natural light is limited, use a full-spectrum LED grow light for 12–14 hours daily.
• A sunny south- or west-facing window works well if it receives strong sunlight.
• Healthy plants develop vibrant color and abundant sticky dew.

Watering

• Use only distilled water, reverse osmosis (RO) water, rainwater, or well water with low TDS (no higher than 100 PPM, below 50 is ideal). 
• Never use regular tap water unless you know it has a very low mineral content. Tap water usually contains minerals that can harm the plant over time.
• Keep the soil consistently moist using the tray method: Place the pot in a shallow tray of water and refill the tray as needed so the soil never fully dries out.

Humidity

Most tropical sundews grow best in 40%+ humidity.

Temperature

Most tropical species prefer 65–85°F (18–29°C).

Feeding

Sundews obtain nutrients from insects.

• If insects are available indoors, the plant can catch them naturally.
• If needed, feed one or two small insects every few weeks.
• Freeze-dried bloodworms or betta fish food pellets can also be used in very small amounts.
• Avoid overfeeding. Each leaf only needs one meal at a time.

Fertilizer

Do not fertilize the soil. Drosera (Sundew) plants are adapted to nutrient-poor environments, and fertilizer can damage or kill them.

Dormancy

Not all sundews have the same growth cycle.

• Tropical sundews (what we sell) do not require winter dormancy and grow year-round indoors.
• Temperate sundews require a cool winter dormancy period to remain healthy.

Know which species you have so you can provide the appropriate seasonal care.

Common Problems 

No sticky dew

• Insufficient light
• Low humidity
• Recent repotting or transplant shock

Brown or black leaves

• Normal aging of older leaves
• Mineral buildup from tap water
• Soil allowed to dry out

Slow growth

• • Not enough light
  • Temperatures too cool
  • Plant is entering dormancy (temperate species)