Photo: Chimie chonga at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Sundew
Drosera adelae
Strappy leaves covered in glistening sticky dew that traps fungus gnats. The most terrarium-tolerant carnivore — just use distilled water and no feed.
- Terrarium type
- Closed
- Terrarium size
- Small
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Care level
- Moderate
- Growth habit
- Rosette
- Pet safety
- Non-toxic to pets
Growing Sundew in a terrarium
Where to place it
The most terrarium-tolerant carnivore — give it bright indirect light in a closed setup and its dewy leaves will glisten and trap fungus gnats.
Watering & humidity
Use only distilled or rainwater, kept topped up so the substrate stays constantly wet. Standing it in a shallow tray of that water works well.
Watch out for
Never use tap water or fertiliser — either will kill it. If the sticky dew stops forming, it needs more light.
Reference: Drosera adelae on Wikipedia.
Sundew FAQ
Can Sundew grow in a closed terrarium?+
Yes — Sundew (Drosera adelae) thrives in a closed terrarium. The sealed glass traps the constant, high humidity it needs, and it tolerates the lower light inside a covered vessel.
Can Sundew grow in an open terrarium?+
It isn't recommended. Sundew (Drosera adelae) wants the constant humidity of a sealed, closed terrarium and will quickly dry out and crisp up in an open, airy one.
What size terrarium does Sundew need?+
Sundew suits a small terrarium — jars & bottles. It has a rosette growth habit, so plan its position with that in mind and trim or divide it if it starts to outgrow the glass.
Is Sundew easy to care for?+
Sundew is rated moderate to care for in a terrarium. Strappy leaves covered in glistening sticky dew that traps fungus gnats. The most terrarium-tolerant carnivore — just use distilled water and no feed. Never use tap water or fertiliser — either will kill it. If the sticky dew stops forming, it needs more light.
How much light does Sundew need?+
Sundew does best in bright indirect light. Keep it out of direct sun, which magnifies through glass and scorches leaves. The most terrarium-tolerant carnivore — give it bright indirect light in a closed setup and its dewy leaves will glisten and trap fungus gnats.
How do you water Sundew?+
Use only rainwater, distilled or reverse-osmosis water — never tap water, as its minerals will kill a carnivorous plant over time. Keep the substrate damp and never fertilise it; it feeds on insects, not plant food.
Is Sundew safe for cats and dogs?+
Sundews (Drosera) are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs — the sticky dew traps gnats but is harmless to pets.
