Drosera spatulata – Rosetted Sundew with Sticky Elegance

Drosera spatulata – Rosetted Sundew with Sticky Elegance

Drosera spatulata, commonly known as the spoon-leaved sundew, is a small, ground-hugging carnivorous plant native to Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Southeast Asia. It flourishes in nutrient-poor bogs, trapping insects with glistening mucilage-tipped tentacles. Unlike some of its relatives, this species is remarkably adaptable and often one of the easiest sundews to cultivate.

Distinctive Features

• Rosette Growth: Forms a flat, compact rosette of spoon-shaped leaves, often no more than 5 cm across.
• Glandular Hairs: Leaves are covered in red-tipped glandular hairs that exude sticky droplets to ensnare prey.
• Seasonal Flowers: Produces delicate pink to white blooms on slender stalks, typically during spring or summer.

Care Tips

• Light: Requires bright indirect light or full sun for vivid colouring and healthy growth.
• Water: Keep constantly moist with distilled or rainwater; never allow to dry out.
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity but adapts well to standard indoor conditions.
• Media: Grows best in a mix of sphagnum peat and perlite or silica sand; avoid fertilised soils.
• Temperature: Thrives between 15–28°C; tolerates mild cold but not frost.
• Fertiliser: Generally unnecessary; gains nutrients from trapped insects.
• Repotting: Repot annually or when media begins to degrade; division is also possible during repotting.

Additional Notes

• This species readily self-seeds and can naturalise in suitable conditions.
• Not toxic to pets, making it a safe and fascinating addition to households.

Compact yet tenacious, Drosera spatulata is a brilliant starter plant for those new to carnivorous species. Its sparkling traps and ease of care make it a favourite among collectors and curious gardeners alike.