Wisconsin's Tropical Gardens

SUNDEW - Drosera

This oddity of nature is part of the stuff of horror movies. Sundew is one of many carnivorous plants -- plants that eat insects to provide thier nitrients. This plant has a rosette of long-oval, sometimes fringed leaves with a sticky substance that lures insects until they are caught, then digested.

TEMPERATURE/WATER: Warmth and humidity are key to growing healthy carnivorous plants. Water with rainwater or distilled water. Some growers have better success growing them in a closed container such as an aquarium. This helps keep the humidity high.

LIGHT: Provide moderate light, with no exposure to sun.

Carnivorous plants are specialty plants with limited availability. Sundew are occasionally available in 4" pots.