Sundew (Daily-Dew)
Drosera species. DROSERACEAE.
Planting and Growing Sundew
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow sundew in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of sundew
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for sundew
- Season of bloom and planting time for sundew
- When, how deep, and where to plant sundew
- How to plant sundew
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of sundew
- Landscape and container uses of sundew
- Comments about sundew and its features
Growing Sundew
About 100 species of semi-erect, low or climbing, carnivorous, rhizomatous, deciduous annual and perennial herbs. Medium green, red, lobed leaves, 2–4 in. (50–100 mm) long, forming a circular, radiating base, have sticky, insect-trapping hairs above rounded, succulent ends.
Semi-dormant in autumn, winter.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Small, pink, purple, white, yellow blossoms, to 1/2-in. (12-mm) wide, on a slender stalk, in summer.
Best Climates
Tender. Zones 8–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Wet, well-drained sphagnum moss and sand. Fertility: Low. 6.0–7.0 pH. D. intermedia and D. linearis tolerate alkaline conditions, to 8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full sun, 1 ft. (30 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Moderate. Keep evenly moist until blooms fade; reduce water thereafter. Avoid wetting foliage. Fertilize in spring. Mulch. Protect from heat. Propagate by cuttings, seed.
About This Plant
Good choice for water feature margins, natural boggy soil in natural gardens and in indoor terrariums. Good for children. Pest and disease resistant.