Drosera Cape Sundew
While it is one of more than 200 species of sundews, the cape sundew has unique care requirements.
Below, you will find out everything you need to know about properly planting and caring for this plant so that it will thrive and provide enjoyment for years to come.
Substrate
The cape sundew does best in a sandy peat moss soil mix, or a mixture of 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent horticulture sand. They do not rely much on nutrients from the soil, as the plant obtains most of the nutrition that it requires from the prey it consumes.
​
Additionally, it should not be fertilized, as again, it gets the nutrition that is needed from the bugs and insects it feeds on. In fact, fertilizing the plant can end up burning the roots and could potentially kill your cape sundew.
​
Because the cape sundew is a carnivorous plant, in lieu of fertilizer, it should be fed insects, such as flies and spiders. If you live in a warm climate that can support a sundew plant, you can leave it outside, where it will feed itself. If you live in a cooler climate, it should be left inside, where it will rely on you to feed it.
​
It can consume flies, spiders, ants, moths, fruit flies, and gnats. If you are unable to locate live insects, you can feed the plant freeze dried bugs, such as fly larvae. When feeding freeze dried insects, mix them in water first. Doing so will make the insects softer and easier to digest.
​
The cape sundew only needs to be feed about once a week, on average. A word of caution: make sure that the insects the cape sundew is fed have not been exposed to insecticides, as they chemicals are toxic and could potentially kill the plant. Also, avoid overfeeding, as doing so could potentially kill the plant.
Water
ing
The watering requirements of a cape sundew are similar to those of other carnivorous plants. The soil should be kept evenly moist; however, it should not be soaked. To determine when it needs to be watered, feel the soil. If the first inch or so of the soil feels dry, the plant needs to be watered.
Lighting
The cape sundew thrives in full sun to part shade and will produce the most vibrant colors when they are exposed to such conditions. If they are kept as a houseplant, placing it in a window that receives ample amounts of sunlight is ideal. If necessary, you can also use artificial light to provide the cape sundew with the light that it needs to thrive.