The genus Drosera, commonly known as Sundews, encompasses hundreds of carnivorous plant species. Many are popular among new growers due to their striking appearance. The popular “Honey Dew” moniker refers to the glistening, sticky mucilage covering their tentacles, which is the plant’s primary method for luring and trapping small insects. While Sundews have specialized needs unlike typical houseplants, they are generally considered one of the easiest carnivorous plants to cultivate successfully. This guide provides the specific instructions necessary to maintain the health and unique trapping ability of your Honey Dew Sundew.
Essential Environmental Setup
A proper growing medium is essential for successful Sundew cultivation, as these plants have adapted to nutrient-poor wetland environments. Standard potting soil must be avoided because its high mineral and nutrient content will quickly burn the plant’s delicate roots. The ideal substrate is a mixture that retains moisture while remaining highly acidic and low in total dissolved solids (TDS). A common and effective mix consists of 50-60% pure sphagnum peat moss combined with 40-50% horticultural perlite or clean silica sand.
Plastic pots are preferable because ceramic or terracotta can leach minerals into the soil, contaminating the low-nutrient substrate. The pot should be deep enough for good root development, generally four inches or taller for established plants. While Sundews require consistently moist soil, the container must possess drainage holes to facilitate the unique watering method. Most subtropical Sundews thrive in a typical indoor temperature range between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, making them well-suited for most homes.
Daily Water and Light Needs
The type of water provided is the most important element in Sundew care, directly affecting the plant’s long-term survival. Only water with extremely low mineral content should be used, such as distilled water, reverse osmosis (RO) water, or collected rainwater. Tap water is almost always lethal because it contains dissolved salts and minerals (TDS) that accumulate in the soil and cause root burn. Sundews can tolerate a TDS level no higher than 50 parts per million (ppm), which is significantly lower than most municipal water sources.
The most effective watering technique for Sundews is the “tray method,” which mimics the plant’s natural bog habitat by keeping the soil continuously saturated. The potted plant is placed in a shallow saucer or tray kept filled with about half an inch to one inch of purified water. The plant absorbs water from the bottom through capillary action, ensuring the roots remain wet at all times during the active growing season. This high moisture content is essential for maintaining local humidity around the plant’s base.
Sundews require intense light to thrive and produce the “dew” that gives them their common name. Lack of sufficient light is the primary reason a Sundew will fail to produce mucilage. Placing the plant in a bright, south-facing window is often the best natural light option, though direct midday sun can be too harsh in some climates. Growers often use supplemental artificial lighting, such as LED or fluorescent grow lights, set on a photoperiod of 12 to 16 hours daily. Intense light also encourages the plant to develop red pigmentation, a sign of a healthy and vigorously growing Sundew.
Managing Prey and Nutritional Requirements
The carnivorous nature of the Sundew means it acquires necessary nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, from insect prey rather than the soil. If the plant is grown outdoors, it will naturally attract and trap sufficient small insects on its sticky tentacles. For indoor plants, which often lack adequate insect supply, manual feeding is necessary to support robust growth. In the absence of prey, the plant may survive but will grow slowly and remain smaller.
When manually feeding, the prey must be small enough for the leaf to handle. Examples include freeze-dried bloodworms, crushed fish flakes, or small, freshly killed insects. If dried, the food should be rehydrated and placed directly onto the sticky tentacles, stimulating the leaf to curl around the meal for digestion. Overfeeding is a common mistake and can cause the leaf to blacken and die, so feed infrequently, targeting only one or two leaves per plant every two to four weeks.
Prey provides nutrients, not energy, and traditional plant fertilizers are universally toxic to Sundews. The specialized bog environment has caused these plants to lose the ability to process nutrients through their roots, making the introduction of high-concentration mineral salts fatal. The use of any fertilizer not specifically formulated for carnivorous plants must be avoided. Supplemental feeding is particularly beneficial for young seedlings and plants preparing to flower, as it provides the energy required for these demanding growth phases.
Long-Term Maintenance and Propagation
Most popular Honey Dew Sundews are subtropical or tropical and do not require a winter dormancy period, allowing them to grow year-round indoors. This continuous growth means they do not need the temperature reduction or reduced watering that temperate carnivorous plants require. However, the substrate can slowly break down or accumulate trace minerals over time, making periodic repotting necessary. Repotting is generally recommended every one to two years to refresh the soil mixture and ensure a healthy growing environment.
Sundews are simple to propagate, allowing growers to easily multiply their collection using several methods. Growing from the tiny, dust-like seeds is straightforward, as the plants often self-pollinate and produce abundant seed capsules that can be sown directly on the moist growing medium. A quicker and reliable method is through leaf cuttings. A healthy leaf is carefully removed and placed on or floated in purified water. Small plantlets will eventually sprout directly from the leaf tissue and can be transferred to a standard peat and perlite mix once they develop roots.