How to take care Sundew plant – Sundew plant care is easy if you understand its natural needs. This plant looks very special because its leaves shine with tiny sticky drops, just like morning dew. These drops attract insects, and Sundew eats them for food. It not only looks beautiful but also helps in controlling small flies and mosquitoes at home.
I have been growing Sundew plants in my small garden for some years. At first, I made mistakes like using tap water and normal soil, and my plant started getting weak. Later, I learned the right way to care for Sundew, and since then my plants are healthy and full of dew drops. In this post, I am sharing my personal experience in simple words so that anyone can take care of Sundew easily.
IN THIS ARTICLE
About Sundew Plant
Sundew belongs to the Drosera family. There are more than 90 types of Sundews found in different parts of the world. They mostly grow in wet and marshy places where the soil has very few nutrients. Because the soil is poor, Sundews catch insects and use them as food.
Here is a short table about Sundew:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Drosera |
| Type | Carnivorous perennial plant |
| Habitat | Wetlands, marshes |
| Best Place to Grow | Pots, terrariums, bog gardens |
| Special Feature | Sticky drops that catch insects |
Quick Tips – How to take care Sundew plant
- Always use distilled water, rainwater, or RO water.
- Keep soil moist all the time.
- Give bright indirect sunlight for 4–6 hours daily.
- Use a soil mix of peat moss and sand/perlite.
- Do not use fertilizer.
- Feed with insects sometimes.
- Keep humidity high (around 50–70%).
Watering Sundew
Water is the most important care step for Sundew. When I first used tap water, my plant leaves turned brown and weak. Later, I understood that Sundews cannot handle the minerals in normal water. After using RO water, they became green again and produced more dew.
- Use only rainwater, RO water, or distilled water.
- Keep soil always moist but not too wet.
- Best way: Keep the pot in a tray with little water so soil drinks it slowly.
- Avoid pouring water from top every day.
Best Soil for Sundew
Sundew plants like soil that is poor in nutrients. If you use normal garden soil or compost, they will die. I lost one plant because of this mistake. Now I use a simple mix of peat moss and sand, and it works very well.
- Use 50% peat moss + 50% sand/perlite.
- Soil should be light and moist.
- Do not use compost, manure, or chemical soil.
Sunlight Needs
Sundew needs sunlight to make its dew drops. Without light, leaves will not shine and plant will look dull. In my garden, I keep them where they get morning sunlight and shade in the afternoon.
- Give 4–6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Indoors: Keep near a window or use a grow light.
- Outdoors: Best is morning sun + indirect light.
- Avoid strong afternoon sun in summer.
Humidity and Temperature
Sundews grow better in humid air. During monsoon, my plants grow the fastest because the air is naturally wet. In summer, when the air is dry, I keep them in a glass terrarium to maintain humidity.
- Best humidity: 50–70%.
- Temperature: 15°C to 30°C is good.
- Avoid keeping them near heaters, fans, or AC.
- In dry areas, mist them sometimes or use a humidity tray.
Fertilizer or Food for Sundew
Sundew does not need fertilizer. In fact, fertilizer can kill them. Their food is insects.
- Do not use chemical fertilizer.
- Feed small insects like ants, flies, or gnats.
- If insects are not available, you can give dried bloodworms or fish flakes once in 2–3 weeks.
- Do not overfeed; small insects are enough.
How to Propagate Sundew
I have tried different ways of growing new Sundews, and the easiest for me was using leaf cuttings.
- Leaf cuttings: Take a healthy leaf, put it on wet moss, and cover it. After some time, new baby plants will grow.
- Root cuttings: Cut a piece of root and put it in wet soil.
- Seeds: Sprinkle seeds on wet soil, but this takes more time.
Propagation needs patience, but slowly you will get many plants from one.
Common Problems and Simple Solutions
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No dew on leaves | Less sunlight or dry air | Give more light, increase humidity |
| Leaves turning black | Old leaves or bad water | Remove old leaves, use clean water |
| Plant not growing | Wrong soil or fertilizer | Use peat + sand, avoid fertilizer |
| Dry and weak plant | Not enough water | Keep soil moist with tray method |
FAQ – How to take care Sundew plant
Can I grow Sundew indoors?
Yes, you can grow Sundew indoors if you give them enough sunlight or a grow light. Keep them near a sunny window and maintain humidity.
How often should I water Sundew?
Keep the soil moist all the time. The best way is to use the tray method – place the pot in a small tray of water so the soil absorbs it naturally.
Can I use tap water for Sundew?
No, never use tap water. It has minerals that can kill the plant. Use only rainwater, RO water, or distilled water.
Conclusion
From my personal experience, I can say that Sundew plant care is not difficult if you follow some simple rules. Give them clean water, moist soil, enough sunlight, and humid air. Do not use fertilizer, and let them catch insects naturally. If you provide these conditions, Sundew will stay healthy and shine with its beautiful dew drops. It is a wonderful plant for any garden and a natural way to control insects at home.
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