Drosera capensis

Cape Sundew, Sondouw

Easy careTerrestrialNon-toxic1030 cm

Native to the fynbos bogs and coastal seeps of South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape, the Cape Sundew is one of the most beginner-friendly carnivorous plants in cultivation. Each strap-shaped leaf is lined with stalked glandular hairs — called tentacles — tipped with sticky mucilage that glisten like dewdrops in the light, luring and digesting small insects to compensate for the nutrient-poor soils it grows in naturally. In bright or direct light, the tentacles flush a vivid red against green leaf tissue. It does best in an open terrarium or bog dish where light is strong and fresh air reaches it; the substrate must stay continuously wet and the plant must only ever be watered with distilled water or rainwater — tap water minerals will kill it.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Cape Sundew image

Care

Prefers high humidity, bright indirect light, with 5–35 °C, and reaches 30 cm at maturity.

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Direct lightIndirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

0°C20°C40°C
5°C35°C

Soil

Sphagnum mix(preferred)Peat mossSandy

Moisture

Wet(preferred)Moist

Soil pH

4.5 – 5.5

Propagation

Pull a healthy leaf away from the stem with a gentle twist to retain the base, then lay it flat on moist sphagnum or a 1:1 peat-perlite mix. Cover with a clear dome or place in a humid propagation box in bright, indirect light. Tiny plantlets form at the leaf base and are large enough to separate once they show their first dew-covered tentacles.

Native range

Native to Southern Africa.

Appearance

Growth habit

Rosette

Leaf shape

Strap

Leaf texture

Fuzzy

Frequently asked

Can Cape Sundew grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Cape Sundew prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates bright-indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Cape Sundew need drainage?

Cape Sundew prefers a wet substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Cape Sundew need?

Cape Sundew does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Cape Sundew pet-safe?

Cape Sundew is considered non-toxic to common household pets.

How tall does Cape Sundew grow?

Cape Sundew typically reaches 10–30 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Cape Sundew?

Cape Sundew can be propagated by leaf cuttings or division or seeds.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Drosera capensis

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:321806-1
  2. 2
  3. 3

    PlantZAfrica (SANBI) — Drosera capensis

    https://pza.sanbi.org/drosera-capensis
  4. 4
  5. 5

    Guide to Houseplants — Cape Sundew

    https://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/cape-sundew.html
  6. 6
  7. 7
  8. 8
  9. 9

    Grow Carnivorous Plants — Germinating tropical sundew seeds

    https://www.growcarnivorousplants.com/germinating-tropical-sundew-seeds/
  10. 10

    Carnivorous Plants Guide — Drosera capensis complete care

    https://www.carnivorousplantsguide.com/drosera-capensis-care-complete-guide/
  11. 11

    ASPCA Toxic Plant List — D listing (Drosera not listed; confirmed non-toxic)

    https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/d