Tropical Sundew
Drosera
Care Sheet
Light
Tropical Sundews need strong light. They like a sunny location in the yard with a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight. If grown indoors they need a very sunny window and/or to be 2 to 4 inches directly under a fluorescent light that is on for 12 to 18 hours a day.
Water
Do not water Tropical Sundews with tap water, purified water, drinking water, or mineral water because these kinds of water will kill your Sundew. They must have Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water only. You can buy Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water at the water store or grocery store. Just check the fine print to make sure it doesn’t have anything else added to it. Put your Tropical Sundew’s pot in a bowl or saucer. Fill up the bowl or saucer with Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water to about half way up the pot. When the water evaporates to near the bottom of the container refill it back to about 2/5ths the way up the pot again. Never let the Tropical Sundew’s soil dry out.
Feeding
Tropical Sundews must eat tiny insect like ants or smaller insects. They can be sprinkled on to their sticky leaves. If you grow your Tropical Sundew outside you do not need to feed it all. It will catch bugs on its own. Don’t use fertilizers for your Tropical Sundew.
Leaf/Trap Growth
Tropical Sundews tend to keep their leaves for a while but if their leaves are shed they can usually grow new ones right back as long as the roots are still healthy.
Potting
To pot up your Tropical Sundew first put your long fibered sphagnum moss in a bowl with Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water. Make sure to loosen the fibers and mix it around in the bowl to help it hydrate. Then use this as your potting soil for your Tropical Sundew. You don’t need to firmly pack it into your pot. It is better if it is loose and airy.
Dormancy
Tropical Sundew do not need to go dormant every Winter. They can be grown outside until the night temperatures go into the 30s F. Then they will need to be moved inside and placed next to a sunny window or be 2 to 4 inches directly under a fluorescent bulb. In the Spring when the temperatures only drop to the 40s F at night they can be moved back outside. If their leaves are damaged by cold they can usually grow new ones, as long as their roots are still healthy.