North American Temperate Drosera

North American Temperate Sundews

New Zealand Temperates	North American Temperate	Pygmy	South African Temperate
South African Tropical	South American	Australian Tuberous	Australian Non-Tuberous

These plants grow during the warm summer months and will go dormant in the cold winter months, often not spent in freezing temperatures. Most of these can be grown year-round without observing slight ill effects, but you will get more robust plants and a specific blooming time if you give them that time to rest. Most of them will just halt new leaf growth.

Growing Media:: A mixture of one part peat and one part sand works well.

Temperatures:: Several text say to grow them in the summer at 70-95F, and winters 40-50F. I know a few of these can tolerate 105F if provided with some filtered shade. Any exceptions are noted below.

Water & Humidity:: This is also a varied range. All plants need plenty of water and humidity during their respective growing season. However, dormancy characteristics dictate how much water they receive. See plant specifics below.

Light:: Grow in bright direct or indirect light.
Dormancy Requirements:: If it gets just slightly chilly, the plants stop growing. If severe, they will lose their leaves.
Asexual Reproduction:: Take a leaf, place on moist soil and give high humidity & light, with temperature around 75F. I have increased chances when I do not remove the leaf from the plant, but pin it to the soil. This is much easier with larger varieties. With the smaller varieties, it's a little tricky.; A few of these plants will reproduce by their roots also. If you see a new plantlet away from the main one, you can dig it up carefully and sever the runner-root and replant. I listed below which plants are susceptible to asexual reproduction though these methods.

Sexual Reproduction:: I listed those plants that self-pollinate. Collect seeds when the capsules dry, and store during the plants' normal dormant months. In the spring, you can sprinkle the seeds on moist peat/sand, and provide bright light and high humidity.; Take

Specific Cultural Information

Note that a "" denotes a picture available at the CP Database, just click on the camera and enter "Drosera" and the species. Also check out the pictures available at the Galleria Carnivora, First floor.

D. anglica

A North-America native sundew (also called the 'English Sundew') that is found in North America, Japan, and parts of Europe. Produces up to nine white flowers 2.5" (7mm) is diameter; easily self-pollinates. Leaves are upright, and can be up to 4" (petioles 3-7cm, blades 15-35mm) long and are paddle shaped. This sundew dies back to a bud in the winter only if weather gets severe -- otherwise grows year-round. This plant an be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. brevifolia

North America native rosette forming annual sundew that stays in cultivation by coming back from the many seeds produced from the year before (self-pollinator), but also can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Flowers can be rose-pink to white, and are sometimes larger than the plant itself -- see the picture at the link CP Database! Leaves only get 1/2" wide (1cm).

D. capillaris

Another small sundew forming a small rosette with prostrate leaves. Similar to D. brevifolia, but gets larger -- 1 1/2" (4cm) wide. Leaf blades are longer than they are wide, which helps in identification. Puts out rose-pink to white flowers, which are self-pollinating; an easy grower. A North-American Native that can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. filiformis

A North American plant. They form a small bud called a hibernaculum during dormancy (which is required), and are pretty tolerant of freezing temperatures. During the growing season, leaves come out in curled up, and slowly uncurl into a leaf with the sticky tentacles from top to bottom. Leaves can grow up to 7" (18cm). Flowers can be purple, with up to 20 on one flower stalk. Variety 'tracyi' is a more robust plant with longer leaves. However, the tentacles are green, not red. They can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. intermedia

The 'Love Nest Sundew' is native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Self pollinating rosetted sundew with white flowers. Leaves are somewhat upright averaging 2" (5cm), with red dew on the end of a round leaf (like a spoon). Dies back to a growing bud for dormancy. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings. If you have any other information, please e-mail me!

D. linearis

White blooming sundew that easily self-pollinates. Will die back to an underground rhizome in the winter. Grows best if summer temps are under 80F, and if isolated -- it doesn't grow well with other plants. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. rotundifolia

The 'Round Leaf Sundew' is a North American sundew that dies back in the winter to an underground bud. Also has been found growing in Europe and Asia. Leaves can reach up to 3" (8cm). Displays up to 25 flowers on a single stalk, and is self-pollinating. There are also three available varieties: var. rotundifolia, var. comosa, var. graclis. It can be propagated by leaf cuttings. If you have any other information, please e-mail me!

Bibliography

Carnivorous Plants of Australian, Volume 1,2,3. Allen Lowrie
The Savage Garden, Peter D'Amato. 1998.
Carnivorous Plants of the World, James and Patricia Pietropaolo. 1986
Carnivorous Plant Database
Cambrian Carnivores

Photo Contributors

Mike Baker -Webpage- D. intermedia, D. rotundifolia
Marco Bleeker of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. rotundifolia
Gerald D. Carr (Professor) & Dr. Lamoureax (Photographer) - Webpage - : D. anglica
Dr. Patrick L. Cooney -Webpage- D. filiformis
James Manhart of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. brevifolia, D. capillaris, D. rotundifolia
Michael Moore -Webpage - D. linearis
Thomas Schöpke of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. rotundifolia

Last update 07/30/01
Hit Counter
Since 2/22/2000