In most cases, sundews are grown less for the flowers and more for the interesting leaves and tentacles growing on them. Nevertheless, the flowers can also be very decorative. However, most species only have a very short flowering period.
What do sundew flowers look like and when do they open?
Sundew flowers are small, usually white or purple flowers that grow on long stems and open for a short time when exposed to sufficient light. The flowers are heliotropic and always turn towards the sun or light source.
This is what sundew flowers look like
The flowers of a Drosera grow on very long flower stalks. This means that fertilizing insects do not reach the tentacles during pollination.
The flowers are also self-fertile. In almost all species they are single or fivefold.
Most species develop very small flowers that are just 1.5 cm in diameter. The most common flower colors are white and purple, tropical and subtropical Drosera species can also be red, yellow and orange.
The flowers only open for a short time
The sundew flowers only open when they receive enough light. When kept in a bog bed, Drosera only blooms in direct sunlight. What is striking is that the flowers are heliotropic, meaning they always turn towards the sun or the light.
Sundew, which is cultivated as a houseplant, can be placed outdoors in summer. There it receives more sun and therefore blooms more intensively.
The individual flowers of the sundew do not bloom for long. They usually close again after just a few days.
Getting seeds from the flowers
If you let the flowers bloom, capsule fruits will develop in which seeds will ripen. When it is ripe, the fruits open and you can simply shake out the seeds.
Tip
Many carnivorous plant experts recommend cutting off flower stems before flowers develop. The sundew stops growing as long as the plant is in bloom. By cutting off the flowers, Drosera usually grows faster.
