Cape Sundew (Drosera Capensis) Care Sheet

The Drosera Capensis, or Cape Sundew, is a fascinating carnivorous plant that's relatively easy to care for. Here are some key tips for care:

Light

Sun: They thrive in full sun, receiving 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In colder climates, a south-facing window can work well. Insufficient light will reduce dew production and growth.

Artificial lights: Grow lights can be used indoors, ensuring at least 12 hours of light per day.

Water

Moist soil: They crave consistently moist soil. Use a tray method: place the pot in a tray filled with rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis water. Keep the tray about 1/2 inch filled.

Watering: Use rainwater, distilled water, or reverse osmosis. Tap water over 50 PPM TDS is usually harmful to carnivorous plants. You can water the plant using the tray method and if it has dried out, water from the top, but avoid pouring too hard.

Humidity: While not essential, higher humidity (50-70%) encourages dew production and growth.

Soil

Carnivorous mix: Use a specially formulated carnivorous plant mix, pure sphagnum moss, or a peat:sand mixture. Never use regular potting soil (even the peat from MiracleGro is tainted with fertilizers) as it contains nutrients that harm these low-nutrient soil demanding plants. Any fertilizers that are in the pre-mixed soil will likely kill the plant.

Drainage: Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Choose a pot with drainage holes and keep the plant in a water tray that keeps the plant wet at all times.

Feeding

Natural prey: They naturally catch small insects like gnats and fruit flies with their sticky tentacles. You don't need to supplement their diet. Don’t feed them chicken or other things that we humans enjoy. 

Avoid overfeeding: Excessive feeding can harm the plant. If necessary, offer occasional dead bug(s) or freeze-dried mealworms. Remember the plant will capture what it currently is sized for, don’t go wild.

Additional tips

Temperature: They prefer warm temperatures (70-80°F) in summer and cooler temperatures (45-55°F) in winter. Avoid freezing temperatures.

Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in fresh carnivorous mix.

Pests and diseases: They are fairly resistant to pests and diseases, but can suffer from mealybugs and some other common pests.

Remember, patience is key! It takes time for them to adjust to new environments and reach their full size. With proper care, your Drosera Capensis will thrive and become a captivating addition to your plant collection.