Drosera capillaris
pink sundew
Southeastern United States, Caribbean, Central and South America
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Drosera capillaris is a small carnivorous perennial in the sundew family that forms a flat rosette 0.4-2 inches (1-5 cm) across. The spoon- to wedge-shaped leaves are covered in red, stalked glands called tentacles, each tipped with a bead of sticky mucilage that traps small insects. When prey sticks, the tentacles and leaf slowly bend inward to wrap and digest it, supplementing the nutrients the plant cannot draw from poor soil. Slender flower stalks rise 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) above the rosette in spring and summer, bearing small pink to white five-petaled flowers that open one or two at a time in sunlight. The plant grows in constantly wet, acidic, nutrient-poor sand and peat in bogs, seeps, and pine savanna ditches. D. capillaris needs full sun and standing moisture year-round; it withers quickly if the soil dries or if it receives mineral fertilizer, which can kill the roots. Plants are short-lived but self-seed freely and form dense colonies in open, sunny wet ground.
Native Range
Drosera capillaris is native to the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America. It grows in acidic bogs, wet pine savannas, seeps, and ditch margins.Suggested Uses
Drosera capillaris is grown in bog gardens, terrariums, and carnivorous plant collections alongside other sundews and pitcher plants. It suits constantly wet, sunny spots where ordinary plants rot. Its red, dew-tipped rosettes add close-up interest in container bogs.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1" - 2"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to whiteFoliage Description
green and redGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Drosera capillaris grows in full sun and permanently wet, acidic, low-nutrient sand or peat. The pot or bog must stay saturated, often by standing it in a tray of rainwater or distilled water, since tap-water minerals harm the roots. Fertilizer and rich potting soil are damaging; the plant gathers its nutrients by trapping insects on its sticky leaves. It tolerates winter cold in the warmer parts of its range and may die back to a resting bud in cooler areas. Bright light keeps the tentacles red and active, while shade leaves them green and weak. Plants are short-lived but replace themselves readily from self-sown seed.Pruning
No pruning is needed beyond removing spent flower stalks where self-seeding is not wanted. Dead leaves can be left in place or cleared from the rosette. The plant renews its leaves continuously through the growing season.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons