Also known as Sundew
Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis) is a carnivorous plant known for its attractive, glistening tentacles that trap insects. It's an easy-to-grow bog plant for terrariums or w
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Bright Light Required
100% intensity
Needs at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Can tolerate bright indirect light.
Keep Consistently Moist
100% intensity
Use distilled, rainwater, or RO water. Tray watering is recommended.
Peat moss and perlite/sand mixture (low nutrient)
50% intensity
Average Room Temperature
50% intensity
Thrives in temperatures between 20-25°C. Can tolerate cooler temperatures in winter.
None Required
0% intensity
Carnivorous plant; obtains nutrients from captured insects. Do not fertilize.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist, never allowing it to dry out completely. Use distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water.
A tray-watering method, where the pot sits in a shallow dish of water, is ideal for maintaining substrate moisture and mimicking bog conditions.
Pruning is generally not necessary unless dead or diseased leaves appear. Remove any brown or withered leaves at their base to maintain plant health and appearance.
This also helps prevent potential fungal issues from decaying organic matter.
Cape Sundews are easily propagated from leaf cuttings or division. For leaf cuttings, cut a healthy leaf at the base and lay it on moist sphagnum moss. Keep it humid and warm, and plantlets should form.
Division can be done when repotting.
Repot your Cape Sundew annually or biennially, typically in spring. Use a nutrient-poor, acidic substrate like a 1:1 mix of peat moss and perlite or sand.
Ensure the new pot is slightly larger and provides good drainage for the tray-watering method.
Identify plants like this with ePlant AI
Snap a photo to get care tips and match similar species on the go.
Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis)
Where Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis) is found
Density
Tap map to explore
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Droseraceae |
| Genus | Drosera |
| Species | Drosera capensis |
Similar in genus Drosera
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
