Sundew Species

Sparkling Leaves. Sticky Traps. Tiny Botanical Predators.

Grow a diverse collection from one of the largest and most widespread groups of carnivorous plants in the world. This Sundew Species Seed Mix produces Drosera species known for their distinctive glandular leaves covered in shimmering, dew-like droplets of sticky mucilage used to capture small insects. Found across multiple continents in nutrient-poor bogs, wetlands, and sandy habitats, sundews have evolved an extraordinary variety of forms—from compact rosettes and upright plants to climbing and tuberous species.

This mix offers a fascinating range of potential forms, colors, leaf shapes, and growth habits, making it an exciting choice for both new growers and experienced carnivorous plant collectors.

Family: Droseraceae

Genus: Drosera

Native Range: Worldwide

Growth Habit: Carnivorous rosette, upright, climbing, tuberous, or other species-dependent forms

Light: Bright light to full sun, depending on species

Water: High moisture; requirements vary by species

Growing Tips

• Use a nutrient-poor growing medium suitable for carnivorous plants

• Use distilled, reverse-osmosis, or suitably low-mineral rainwater

• Avoid mineral-rich tap water

• Keep the growing medium consistently moist according to the species' requirements

• Bright light encourages compact growth, stronger coloration, and healthy dew production

• Provide appropriate humidity for young seedlings while maintaining good airflow

• Avoid conventional fertilized potting soils and compost-rich mixes

• Do not apply ordinary houseplant fertilizer to the growing medium

• Growing requirements can vary considerably among tropical, temperate, subtropical, pygmy, tuberous, and other sundew groups

Planting Tips

• Surface sow the tiny seeds—do not bury them deeply

• Use a fine, nutrient-poor carnivorous plant substrate, such as an appropriate peat-based mix with added perlite or other suitable low-mineral material

• Keep the growing medium consistently moist during germination

• Provide bright light and temperatures appropriate for the species

• Gentle humidity can help during early germination, but good airflow remains important

• Never allow newly germinated seedlings to completely dry out

• Gradually acclimate seedlings as they become established

• Transplant carefully once plants are large enough to handle

Interesting Facts

• The sparkling droplets covering sundew leaves are sticky mucilage produced by specialized glandular tentacles, not ordinary dew.

• When small insects become trapped, nearby tentacles—and in some species portions of the leaf itself—can slowly bend toward the prey, increasing contact with the digestive surface.

• Sundews digest captured insects to obtain nutrients that are scarce in the nutrient-poor soils where many species naturally grow.

• Drosera species occur naturally across North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, making the genus remarkably widespread.

• Australia is especially notable for its extraordinary diversity of sundews and unusual growth forms.

• Depending on the species, sundews may form compact rosettes, upright stems, climbing growth, miniature pygmy forms, or underground tubers.

• Leaf shapes are remarkably diverse and can range from rounded and spoon-shaped to narrow, forked, elongated, or dramatically tentacle-covered forms.

• Sundews produce delicate flowers held above the carnivorous foliage, commonly in shades of white, pink, purple, and occasionally red or other colors, depending on species.

• Drosera has a history of traditional medicinal use in parts of Europe, particularly in historical preparations associated with coughs and respiratory complaints. This information is provided for historical and botanical context only.

• The name Drosera comes from the Greek drosos, meaning “dew,” referring to the glistening droplets covering the leaves.

• Their combination of active prey capture, sparkling foliage, unusual growth forms, colorful flowers, and enormous species diversity makes sundews one of the most fascinating groups of carnivorous plants to collect.

Please Note

This is a mixed Drosera species seed assortment. Species, seed quantities, mature sizes, growth forms, coloration, dormancy requirements, temperature preferences, germination requirements, flower characteristics, and other traits may vary. Because Drosera is an exceptionally diverse genus, individual species may require different cultivation conditions. Specific species and germination results are not guaranteed.

Looks like dew. Works like a trap. Sparkling leaves. Hungry plants. Endless collector possibilities.

For cultivation. Historical and traditional-use information is provided for botanical and educational purposes only and is not medical advice.