Temperate Drosera

Temperate Sundews

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

Several varieties are easy to find and not very expensive
Many good for the beginning collector
Suitable for small terrariums & outdoors in many areas
Dormancy depends on certain plants, see below

Australian:: These plants grow during the moist winter months, but commonly die back to tubers during the dry summer. The grow well in sandy mixtures, 1 part sand and 1 part peat. The soil must dry completely during dormancy if they are tuberous. Otherwise, water sparingly.
North American:: These plants grow during the warm summer months and go dormant in the cooler winter months, usually dying back to their roots. You can grow some of these year-round will only slight ill effects.
South American:: There are very few Sundews native to South America, but I think they should be listed as Tropical, since it doesn't get cold enough for these plants to lose their leaves or die back. During periods of lower temperatures, the plants just halt growth. During the growing season, try and keep the plants below 30C.
South African:: Most of these plants are rosette plants that grow during the cool and wet winter months, and go dormant in the hot and dry summer months. Their dormancy pattern is very similar to Australian varieties, but the do not form tubers, and their dormancy last an average of three months.
New Zealand:: These are also referred to as the Arctic Sundews. These plants spend their dormancy under snow, and have a growth season of only 5-6 months.

As you can see, these plants' characteristics vary greatly, and hopefully you understand why I'm going to re-catagorize them.

Growing Media:: I am playing with two different mixtures right now. I used to grow them in pure sphagnum moss, but I've moved to a mixture that's 1 part peat, 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite. With the peat mixture, it's easier for me to pin down a leaf to the soil to promote asexual propagation. I have also had success with 1 part peat and 1 part sand.
From what I have read:
The North & South American plants enjoy mixtures of one part peat and one part sand.
South African, Australian, and New Zealand plants do best with a 2 part peat and 1 part sand mix.

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. The South American Sundews are an exception, as noted above.

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. Only one of these, D. hamiltonii, particularly cares for full shade.
Dormancy Requirements:: Dormancy varies for this group of Sundews. Some will die to the roots, others to buds or tubers. Only a few of these can be grown year round if the environment permits, but you may notice the plant not doing as well year after year. If this is the case, just provide one season of dormancy. Most of the plants will require a dormancy period, and will die if not provided one. I tried to list all possible dormancy information below.
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. aliciae

A South African variety that's also called the 'Alice Sundew'. An easy to grow compact rosette-forming plant that grows to 3-4" ( 8-10cm) in diameter. Has wedge-shaped green leaves with red tentacles. Blooms 2-12 flowers 1/2" wide, light pink or purple, on a scape up to 15" (37cm) tall --they self-pollinate. One plant can quickly form a colony by sprouting new plants from underground runners. A light frost will kill the leaves, but the plants will return from their roots.

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. arcturi

The 'Arctic Sunew' is native to the alpine regions of Australia and three main islands in New Zealand. This rare plant spends its winters under snow, returning each spring from an underground bud. It blooms a single white flower per stalk, but one plant can grow up to three stalks. The leaves are thick, strap-like, and cupped The average mature plant only has 6-10 leaves up to 4'(7cm). If you plan to grow this, you must provide a cold enough dormancy period. If you wish to germinate seeds, you must stratify them and give them only 5-6 months of growing time, averaging 20C degrees.

D. auriculata

This one is listed here and under Tuberous Sundews. A sundew that first produces a small rosette before growing erect long stems from the base. Several white blooms can appear on a single flower scape. It is so similar to D. peltata that it was thought to be a subspecies. However, this plant has greener leaves, a more robust habit, and bears more flowers. Flower sepals have black spots, which aides in identification. This plant will die back to a tuber during dormancy. Native to Australia & New Zealand. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. binata

The 'Scented Sundew' is a fantastic looking plant native to Australia and New Zealand. It will die back to the roots during cold weather under 50 F. Leaves fork into a Y shape with the sticky tentacles on the two forked parts. A mature plant can grow up to 24" (60cm). Flowers are white. This plant can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Dormancy is optional, but if present, plant dies back to the roots.
Var. dichotoma is like the binata, but can have more leaf divisions. Micheal King wrote on the CP Listserv on June 30, 1999 that a bird (wren) was actually trapped in a large clump of his D. binata var dichotoma! He cut several leaves, cleaned up the bird, and let him go.
Var. multifida is my favorite; it can split up tp 6 times!

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. burkeana

A South African species with pale pink to white flowers that self-pollinate. Rosette sundew with red wedge-shaped prostrate leaves that only get 1 1/2" (4cm) long. It dies back to the roots during the dry season. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. burmanii

Native to Australia, but found in New Zealand, and Asia. An small annual Sundew (no dormant periods, it just dies) that easily self-pollinates and germinates, so it shouldn't be much trouble for a collector to maintain a supply of them. Leaves can reach 1" (3cm) in diameter and spathulate. Multiple white flowers appear on a single scape. It will not produce plantlets from leaf cuttings easily, so it may be best to obtain by seeds.

D. capensis

The 'Cape Sundew' is probably the most common Sundew available. It's a South African native, easily obtained from growers and easy to grow from seed. Erect leaves can reach up to 6"(15cm). Many pink flowers are born on each scape; the plant is self-pollinating. Below is a flower I had on one of mine a few years back, and a double-flower stalk bloomer I had in 2000.

There are a few varieties available in the market. 'Narrow' is a much more compact plant. 'Alba' is a variety that has white flowers and much lighter tentacles. 'Red' is one of my favorites; the leaves are much darker red (if bright light is present) and flowers are darker pink.

They all can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

© Joe Harden © James Manhart

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. cistiflora

South African sundew that goes dormant in the summer, dying back to thick roots or rhizomes. Look at the picture link, it is an interesting plant, one with an upward stalk with the sticky leaves reaching 16" (40cm), and individual leaves only 1" (25mm) long. It can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Flower color ranges from white, pink, to purple.

D. cuneifolia

South African small rosette sundew that goes dormant in the summer, but won't necessarily lose its leaves. Has pink to reddish flowers that self-pollinate. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings. The leaves themselves can get about 6"(15cm).

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. glabripes

Small South African rosetted sundew that puts out 6-12 reddish purple flowers. Leaves have a scrambling habit, and are spoon shaped at the end of the petioles. Mature size of the rosette is 3" (8cm) wide. It can be propagated by leaf cuttings. If you have any other information, please e-mail me!

D. glanduligera

An annual self-pollinating sundew that comes back from seeds every year. Such a small sundew, that is was categorized as a pygmy for several years. Leaves only reach 1.5" (4cm) in diameter. Richard Davion informed me that it has orange flowers that follow move to face sunlight. He goes on the say that its, "probably the most prominent of the Ribbon-Tentacled Drosera even exceeding cunifolia. The scalloped shaped traps are the deepest of any known Drosera.". Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. hamiltonii

Another small rosetted sundew, native to Australia. Has several pink flowers to a scape. Goes dormant when it gets dry, and exfoliates the leaves if sever (not a tuber) and returns from the roots. The leaves actually reflex when grown in bright light, and can be propagated well from root cuttings. Commonly grows in the wild under dense foliage of other plants. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. hilaris

Native to Australia. Small robust plants with leaves up to 2 3/4" (8cm). Red flowering sundew that forms a small tight rosette. Will die back in hot and dry conditions to the roots. If you have any other information, please e-mail me! 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. montana

South American sundew also called the 'Mountain Sundew'. Small rosette forming sundew with pubescent reddish-burgundy leaves that are wedge-shaped. Blooms pink or white flowers which are self pollinating. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. natalensis

'Natal Sundew' from South Africa with leaves up to 1" (2.5cm). Self pollinating sundew that blooms pink to purple. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings. If you have any other information, please e-mail me!

D. peltata

This one is listed here and under Tuberous Sundews & Tropical Sundews due to it's very unique habit. Sometimes confused with D. auriculata. It's a little hard to find, but it is a good beginner's plant according to Peter at Cambrian Carnivores. It dies back to a underground bud for dormancy. The plant itself forms a basal rosette, then grows an erect stem up to 8-10" (20-25cm). Flowers are white & self-pollinate easily. Native to Australia. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

D. ramellosa

Forms a dense rosette early in the growing season, then an erect stalk up to 5" (15cm). Bears white or light pink flowers, half a dozen per scape, that easily self-pollinate. It could be listed under Tuberous Sundews in my opinion, considering it's native to Australia and the fact it dies back to a tuber during dormancy. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings. If you know the rosette's width or flower size, please tell me.

D. regia

Pink flowering sundew, will remain evergreen if temperatures stay above 50F. Large sundew also known as 'King of Sundews', native so South Africa. Doesn't like to be shipped, so be careful when ordering --start from seed. Leaves can reach 2' (60cm) in length! Dark pink flowers can reach 1" (25mm) across. Grow in an open soil, usually half sphagnum moss and half perlite/sand. Best propagated from root cuttings or grown from seeds. It stops growing in the heat of the summer, and may lose a few leaves if it gets too dry. A highly sought after plant.

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!

D. spathulata

The 'Spoon-Shaped Sundew' is found throughout New Zealand, mostly in the alpine regions. It's leaves grow up to 2" (5cm) in diameter. A single plant can have multiple flowers on one or two stalks. Easy to grow, and a self-pollinator. If you know the flower color & size, dormancy patterns, please e-mail me.

D. stenopetala

An erect growing sundew native to Australia and New Zealand. Has reflexed spoon shaped leaves dark to reddish green. In New Zealand it grows relatively close to the native regions of D. arcturi. Flowers have narrow petals, which gave it the name, 'stenopetala'. It's a self-pollinator, but doesn't germinate easily. It is possible to propagate by leaf cuttings. It will die back to a tuber for dormancy. If you know the flowers' color, please e-mail me.

D. trinervia

South African Sundew. Blooms 1-10 small white or violet flowers on a small scape. Leaves only reach 1" (2-3cm) in width. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Dies back to the roots in the spring-summer. If you have any information on flower size or dormancy characteristics, please e-mail me!

D. villosa

A South American Sundew that forms rosettes 2-5" (5-13cm) wide. Has reddish strap-like leaves that are pubescent. Can be propagated by leaf cuttings. If you know the flower color & size and dormancy patterns, please e-mail me!

D. whittakeri

'Scented Sundew' native to Australia. This plant is listed here and under Tuberous Sundews. Peter from Cambrian Carnivores also says that the roots of this plant were used in the production of red inks & dyes in Australia, where is was referred to as the 'Red-Ink Sundew'. The plant is a small rosetted sundew with leaves that can reach 3" (8cm) in diameter. A single plant can put out several flower scapes at once, but each scape only bears one white flower. For dormancy, it will die back to an underground rhizome.

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
A Brief Guide to Native New Zealand Carnivorous Plants, Http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~elderj/nzcps.html
Carnivorous Plant Database
Cambrian Carnivores
Richard Davion : D. glanduligera information
Phil Wilson : D. trinervia information

Photo Contributors

Mike Baker -Webpage- D. intermedia, D. rotundifolia
Marco Bleeker of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. rotundifolia
Dr. Patrick L. Cooney -Webpage- D. filiformis
Pierre Gelinaud -Webpage-: D. cuneifolia, D. aliciae, D. binata, D. spathulata
James Manhart of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. brevifolia, D. capensis, D. capillaris, D. rotundifolia
Joachin Merz & Heiko Rischer -Webpage- :D. spathulata
Michael Moore -Webpage - D. linearis
Thomas Schöpke of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. rotundifolia
Clove Shirley : D. stenopetala

Last update 07/30/01
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