Spoon-Leaf Sundew (Drosera spatulata), Seed-grown

Temperatures: Between 65-85°F with 10°F temperature drops at night.

Lighting: 12-14 hours of bright, direct light.

Humidity: Growing in 75%+ humidity but can be grown in lower humidity.

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)

Click on the dropdown menus on product pages for information about current growing conditions, plant sizing, FAQ, and care guides. 

Are plants shipped potted or unpotted? We ship all plants unpotted to reduce the chance of plant damage during shipment. Potting kits and potting mixes are available on our Growing Supplies page.

How long will it take for my order to arrive? We ship using USPS Priority on Mondays and Tuesdays to try and avoid weekend shipping delays. Most orders are delivered in 1-5 business days after USPS has possession. We do not ship on federal holidays due to USPS closures. Orders may be held during extreme weather conditions. 

Where do you ship? We only ship within the USA, except for Hawaii and Alaska.  

Holiday Closure Calendar: No shipping the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas due to USPS closures and delays. No shipping on USA Federal Holidays due to USPS closures. Orders might be held altogether during these weeks to avoid shipping delays.

How do I take care of this plant? Please refer to our detailed care guides HERE. 

Why are the roots of my Nepenthes black? This is normal; unlike many plants, Nepenthes have black roots. 

Which parents are female and male in our photos and names? The female parent is always first in photos and names. 

What is your loyalty program? Receive 5% back in points on orders. 100 points = $1 coupon. If someone uses your $10 referral code ($20 minimum purchase), you get a $20 coupon. Referral rewards are exempt from some discount combinations and cannot be stacked. 

How do I contact you? You can contact us by email HERE. 

What is your return/refund policy? We have a live arrival guarantee only. Please contact us with photos within 48 hours of delivery if there are any issues. We do not accept returns; all sales are final. For more information you can read our full Refund Policy.