Cape Sundew Seeds

$8.95

Ease to Grow: Easy
Dormancy: No
Native Range: Wet Bogs of the Cape region of South Africa
Zones: 7-9 (6-10)

Drosera capensis or the Cape Sundew is one of the easiest of all carnivorous plants to grow. This African Sundew is medium-sized with long strap-like leaves, loaded with red tentacles. It has a nice overall green and red appearance and glistens brightly in the sunlight. Insects are lured to the plant and get mired in the sticky dew of the tentacles. The leaves slowly roll over on to the prey in about 30 minutes, creating an effective digestive pouch around the victim. Digestion takes a few days and the leaf uncurls to leave the prey remains behind. It is a tropical plant growing year round, as long as the conditions are warm and bright. In cooler temperatures it stops growing, but holds its traps. Here at our Nursery (Zone 6) it grows in some of the outdoor bog boxes, dies back in the Fall and re-emerges from the roots in Spring. It tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, but prefers open, sunny, boggy conditions in peaty soils. The flowers are a rosy-pink on tall, multi-flowered scapes. One or two flowers open each day for several weeks. It can flower at different times of the year, but more profusely in the summer months. It generously produces seeds that can be sown immediately or stored in cool, dry conditions for a year or more. D. capensis comes in many forms: red, white, narrow leaf, broad leaf, wide leaf, and giant. All are unofficial cultivars. It can become a wonderful "weed" in your carnivorous plant collection, and is an excellent terrarium plant. It is easy to grow and is a great beginner's plant. This selection comes from seed, and will show some natural variations.

All Sundew seed packs for sale are freshly harvested throughout the year and stored refrigerated. Seed count is approximate, but reliable.


Note: All Drosera Capensis seeds are produced from open pollination within our collection.  Some cross pollination among different cultivars may occur. Growing carnivorous plants from seeds is best suited for the experienced and patient grower. See our webpage on Growing CPs from Seeds.

Height: 2" - 6"
Plant Type: Perennial, tropical
Soil: Lower Bog Mix or General CP Mix
Light: Bright indoors, full sun to partial sun outdoors
Use: Grows well in the protected bog garden, greenhouse and indoors. It is an excellent terrarium plant.

Customer Reviews

Based on 14 reviews
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Nyana Singh
Finally found the perfect conditions

I’ve bought multiple sets of seeds from Carnivorous plant nursery with varying results. All the drosera seeds I was having issues with. I set them up using multiple methods but kept getting algae and mold, as well as other issues. Ziploc bags or seed trays with domes kept the substrate to humid and moist with little to no air flow and ambient air was too dry.

I finally decided to set them up in my plant cabinet with lights 12” above, near the fan for better air flow, and sitting in clear acrylic trays filled at all times…. And success!!!

I never felt like it was an issue with seeds, I knew I just hadn’t cracked the code for my conditions.

I’ve bought many types of cps seeds over the past year from here and they’re always shipped fast and have extras in the packet.

I love watching them grow and sharing with friends.

G
Gail Isenberg
Did I actually get seeds? (revised)

I submitted the review below--which expressed doubt that there were any seeds in the packet sent to me-- this morning--and almost instantly got a very kind reply saying the cape sundew seeds are indeed VERY tiny (and I do remember a small cloud of dust as a shook the packet). After this reply I looked at the growing medium and saw tiny plants all over it!!! I don't know if these are sundews or drosera or both--since after not seeing any sundew seeds in the packet I scattered the drosera seeds on the same media. Ir will be an adventure to find out. I am very happy!
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bought both cape sundew and drosera seeds. When I opened the packet of sundew seeds to sprinkle them over the medium--I didn't see any discernible seeds. I thought-they must be REALLY tiny. However, the drosera packet definitely had seeds I could see. Its too early for anything to have germinated. If I get plants I will return with a rave review--but at present I suspect that I was shorted.

J
Jason Ray
Little guys popping right up!

Loads of tiny little sprouts popping up! Cute as a button, every one! It’s amazing how they are. So tiny and already getting their little droplets. I couldn’t be happier.

S
Sonja Greer
Best seeds ever! 🤗

It took about 2-3 weeks for the seeds to arrive (SW US). When I opened my packet of seeds, there is AT LEAST x3-4 the amount of seed advertised.

I put the packet in the fridge, while awaiting the arrival of coconut coir. One week later, I potted them up in coir/sphagnum moss on 8th April.
I wetted the growing media with distilled water, put the pot in a tray of disilled water and placed everything into a large ziploc bag, and sealed it. I placed them under my growlights (Barrina T5, 6500k, 20W x6; approx 5-6" away from bulb). I ignored them, and on 25th April, I noticed a heap has sprouted already. They're approx 1mm in size, right now, and I look forward to watching them grow.

Thanks so much for great service and for providing us with quality, viable seed. Thanks to your company, I have the pleasure of keeping these lovely plants again!

b
betty slattery
Seed germination

Seeds never germinated!! Waste of time

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