The Cape sundew is a carnivorous plant and is considered to be particularly robust and easy to care for among the various sundew species. It is therefore well suited as a plant-based “fly catcher” for indoor spaces.
How do you properly care for a cape sundew?
The correct care of a Cape sundew includes: permanently moist and lime-free substrate, watering at least every three days with lime-free water during the growth phase, winter rest at 10 degrees Celsius and good light, and avoiding fertilizer.
What should you consider when watering the Cape sundew?
The Cape sundew, like other sundew species (and in contrast to many other plants), likes it to be constantly moist, so you should never allow the substrate in the pot to dry out completely. However, it is important to note that the sundew does not tolerate water rich in lime. You should therefore water it with rainwater or distilled water with as little lime as possible. During the light growth phase from March to October, depending on the location and pot size, watering should be done at least every three days. During the winter rest, the watering interval and quantity can be reduced slightly.
When and how can a cape sundew be repotted?
So that the roots of the Cape sundew that may have been injured during repotting can recover well, you should ideally only repot this plant in February and therefore shortly before new growth. Use a lime-free substrate with peat content.
Should Cape Sundew be cut?
Due to its already compact growth, the Cape sundew does not need to be cut. If the above-ground parts of the plant wither due to care errors, you should cut them off close to the ground as soon as possible. In the case of Cape Sundew, in this case (and if any location problems are resolved), there is a not-so-small chance that the plant will be able to sprout again from the underground part. However, in this case, check the following location factors:
- Light incidence
- Temperature
- Amount and quality of water
- substrate used
Are there fungi or pests that can be dangerous to Cape Sundew?
Apart from the aphids that can be controlled using the usual means, there are no known pests that could be particularly dangerous for Cape sundews. On the contrary: the few insects present in the room, such as flies, usually get stuck on the sticky leaves of the plant at some point and serve as a source of nutrients.
How to protect Cape Sundew from diseases?
Most of the time it is not diseases, but rather care errors that lead to problems with Cape sundews. Good ventilation can also prevent mold, which is dangerous for the plants, from forming on the moist planting substrate.
Which fertilizer is suitable for Cape sundew?
Especially when using specially mixed carnivore soil, the Cape Sundew does not require any additional fertilization. Fertilizer applications can actually be quite damaging to most carnivorous plants, as their particular way of life means they are specially adapted to nutrient-poor soils.
Under what conditions does the Cape Sundew survive the winter unscathed?
The optimal winter quarters for the Cape Sundew is a room that is as bright as possible with a uniform temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius. During hibernation, the Cape sundew should still receive enough light. If necessary, you can help with a daylight lamp (€6.00 on Amazon) or plant light lamp from a specialist retailer.
Tip
The flowers of the Cape sundew should be cut off close to the ground, along with the stems, at the latest after the seeds have formed, so that no further flowers are formed in the same year. In this way, the plant saves growth energy, which can then be put into the further development of the leaves, which are up to around 20 cm long in this sundew species.
