Drosera planchonii
climbing sundew
Overview
Drosera planchonii is a climbing carnivorous perennial in the sundew family (Droseraceae), producing slender, wiry stems to 3-4 ft (1-1.2 m) long that scramble up through surrounding plants from an underground tuber. It is native to south-eastern Australia, where it grows in moist heath, woodland, and forest that is wet in winter and dry in summer. Along the climbing stems sit shield-shaped (peltate) leaves on long stalks, each blade ringed with stalked glands that hold sticky droplets to catch and digest small insects, offsetting the poor nutrients of its habitat. Through spring it carries white to pink-tinged flowers about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across in branched sprays. As the soil dries in summer the stems wither and the plant retreats to a dormant tuber, reshooting with the autumn rains. It needs the support of neighbouring plants to climb, constant moisture in growth, and mineral-free water; it cannot take fertiliser or lime. The species is grown chiefly by carnivorous-plant specialists rather than in open borders.
Native Range
Drosera planchonii is native to south-eastern Australia, occurring in Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. It grows in seasonally moist heath, open forest, and woodland on acidic, low-nutrient soils, scrambling among grasses and low shrubs.Suggested Uses
Grown in pots and bog gardens by carnivorous-plant growers, trained through twiggy supports or low companions that mimic its wild scrambling habit. Suited to collections kept wet in winter and dry in summer. Displayed where the glandular leaves and climbing stems can be viewed closely.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
White to pale-pink flowers, about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) across, open through spring, mainly September to November, in loose branched sprays along the upper stems. They open in sun and close in cloudy weather. Flowering finishes as summer dormancy approaches.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale pinkFoliage Description
green with red glandsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 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
Grow in a sand-and-peat mix kept constantly moist from autumn through spring, watering with rainwater or distilled water only. Provide twiggy support or low companion plants for the climbing stems to scramble through, in bright light to full sun. Withhold fertiliser and lime, which the roots cannot tolerate. Let the medium dry as the stems die back in summer, holding the dormant tuber just barely moist until autumn growth resumes. The plant traps its own insect food and needs no feeding. It is frost-tolerant while dormant.Pruning
No routine pruning is needed. Cut away the withered stems once they have died back in summer. Remove spent flower sprays if self-seeding is not wanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons