Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis)

The Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis) is a sub-tropical carnivorous plant native to South Africa, and one of the most rewarding live plants you can add to a terrarium or bioactive vivarium setup. This medium-sized specimen is supplied by ProRep and is well established enough to handle the transition into your setup with confidence.

Light & Seasonal Care

Cape Sundews thrive in bright, direct sunlight during the summer months and can be kept outdoors or on a south-facing windowsill. As temperatures drop in winter, move the plant to a greenhouse or an indoor windowsill to protect it from frost and maintain steady growth.

Watering Requirements

Carnivorous plants are sensitive to minerals in tap water — always use rainwater or reverse osmosis (RO) water, unless your tap water tests below 50ppm total dissolved solids. As a bog-dwelling species, Drosera capensis should be kept standing in a tray of water throughout the growing season. During winter dormancy, reduce this to keeping the substrate consistently damp rather than saturated.

Soil & Substrate

Cape Sundews demand nutrient-poor soil — standard potting compost will harm them. An equal mix of peat moss and perlite suits most carnivorous plants well, providing adequate moisture retention without the mineral content that would otherwise damage the root system.

Feeding

While it may be tempting to hand-feed a carnivorous plant, Drosera capensis is a highly capable hunter in its own right. The sticky, glandular tentacles on each leaf will trap and digest a significant number of flying insects without any intervention from the keeper.

A genuinely functional and visually striking addition to any bioactive or naturalistic terrarium, the Cape Sundew earns its place as both a living decoration and an active part of your enclosure's ecosystem.