Drosera

Sundew family · 215 in this guide

Substrate

For most species, four parts fertiliser-free peat to one part perlite — never ordinary potting soil, whose fertiliser damages the plant over time. Exceptions: the Australian tuberous and pygmy species want a sandier mix, and *D. regia*, *D. adelae*, *D. schizandra* and *D. prolifera* grow best in pure long-fibred sphagnum moss.

Pot

Plastic pots are standard. For the Australian tuberous species use a deep pot (at least 15-20 cm) because the tuber pulls itself deep underground; for pygmy species use a wide, shallow pot or tray instead, since they spread sideways by self-seeding.

Water

Most species do well with the tray method, kept permanently wet. The winter-growing Australian and South African tuberous and pygmy species instead need a summer dormancy: let the soil dry out gradually over about a month as summer approaches, then keep it mostly dry with a light misting every couple of weeks.

Location and light

Full to part sun. Warm-temperate and subtropical species do well on a windowsill, in a cool greenhouse, or in a terrarium with cooler nights; the winter-growing Australian and South African species suit a Mediterranean climate or an unheated outdoor greenhouse better.

Temperature

Depends strongly on origin. Temperate species need a genuine cold winter, with leaf die-back and slower growth from October to February as days shorten and temperatures drop. Subtropical species tolerate warmer year-round conditions on a windowsill. There is no genus-wide rule — the range given on each species page points the way.

Source: the per-species habitat data elsewhere in this guide, summarised by genus.