Exposure & location

The Cape sundew enjoys bright environments without scorching sun. It thrives on an east or north-facing windowsill, or in a well-lit room. Its sparkling foliage reacts to light: the brighter it is, the more intense the pink shades become.

• Light: bright to indirect, avoid direct full sun.
• Ideal location: bright windowsill, curiosity shelf, or terrarium.
• Temperature: between 18 and 28 °C, stable environment without cold drafts.
• Atmosphere: perfect for a well-lit, humid, and temperate room.

In a terrarium, it benefits from stable humidity and conditions close to its natural habitat, which enhances the shine of its characteristic “dew.”

Watering & care

The Drosera Capensis is an easy carnivorous plant to care for provided one essential rule is followed: use only soft water (rainwater, demineralized, or osmosis water). Its substrate must remain moist at all times, but never waterlogged.

• Watering: keep the soil constantly moist using rainwater or demineralized water (never tap water).
• Substrate: light nutrient-free mix: blonde peat + sand or perlite.
• Fertilizer: unnecessary — Drosera obtains nutrients from its captured prey.
• Care: gently remove dry leaves at the base, without touching active ones covered with “dew.”
• Humidity: a slightly humid environment or a water tray under the pot promotes vitality.

Important: lime is fatal to its fine roots. Absolutely avoid tap water and any fertilizer not specific to carnivorous plants.

Decor ideas & plant associations

The Drosera Capensis attracts attention with its shiny appearance and subtle movements. It is an ideal decorative plant to create a focal point in your interior or terrarium.

• On a light table or desk, it adds a note of botanical curiosity.
• In a terrarium, it forms a fascinating duo with other humid exotic plants.
• Paired with mosses or small ferns, it creates a lively and poetic scene.
• Perfect for children and botany enthusiasts: it beautifully illustrates nature in action.

Verdeia tip: combine it with a Dionaea muscipula (Venus flytrap) or a Nepenthes to compose a mini tropical and educational ecosystem.

Verdeia advice

• Water from below: place the pot in a saucer of rainwater for constant supply without drowning the roots.
• Avoid frequent repotting: every 2 to 3 years is enough, with fresh unfertilized peat substrate.
• Do not touch active leaves: this destroys the “dew” and reduces its ability to capture prey.
• Give it some space: it likes to breathe and capture light on all sides.
• Gently clean around the pot: to avoid lime deposits caused by rainwater.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Drosera capensis
• Common name: Cape Sundew
• Family: Droseraceae
• Origin: South Africa
• Plant type: Tropical carnivorous plant
• Foliage: Pink to light green, covered with sticky droplets
• Form: Compact and spreading
• Exposure: Bright to indirect light
• Watering: Rainwater or demineralized, substrate moist at all times
• Care: Easy, no fertilizer
• Ideal temperature: 18–28 °C
• Approximate height: 17 cm
• Pot diameter: 12 cm
• Maximum adult size: about 20 cm
• Toxicity: Non-toxic

Each plant is unique: the density of droplets and the pink hue of the foliage vary according to light and humidity. This living character is what makes the charm of Drosera Capensis.