Cape Sundew Seeds
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.
