Drosera capensis is found in marshy areas of the south western Cape region of South Africa. The species has many forms in cultivation ranging from no red pigment to extra red and wide leaf to very narrow leaf. It is considered an easy carnivore to grow. The plant makes an excellent addition to carnivore collection. It tends to become a weed if you allow the seeds to get scattered around.

Drosera capensis isn't very picky about soil. It grows well in pure sphagnum moss as well as the standard 1:1 peat:sand "CP mix". Growing plants in CP mix with live sphagnum on top or just pure live sphagnum is very effective as the sphagnum will grow up with the plants keeping the crown near a surface and provide a medium for the adventitious roots that will come out of the side of the stem. The red forms will tend to be redder in peat and under brighter light.

Drosera capensis can be started from seed and grown like other subtropical Drosera. They can also be propagated from leaf cuttings and stem cuttings when actively growing as well as root cuttings. Please see Sowing Seeds Step-by-Step for more details on starting seeds, the growing guide Growing Subtropical Drosera for more information on growing the plants and the Drosera Leaf Cuttings guide to learn about leaf cuttings. A temperature between 20°C to 25°C (70°F to 80°F) works best for seed germination. Starting plants from cuttings is faster than from seeds. Adult plants are best managed if grown in small pots in trays of water.

Drosera capensis tends to live a few years. I find they do best long term in live sphagnum. If the plants decline they can be easily propagated from root and stem cuttings. I usually rip the plants apart and start over with stem and root cuttings when they start to decline.

When your plant blooms, save the seeds to grow more. If you do not want the seeds, cut off the flower stalks as soon as you notice them. Otherwise you will have D. capensis everywhere.

-- John Brittnacher

For more information please see:

Elzinga, Glenn and John D. Beebe and Randall Van Dragt (1983) A Photographic Study of the Rapid Movement of Stalked Glands of the Cape Sundew Drosera capensis. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 12(3):69-73 ( )

Brother Roy (1985) New Life for a Drosera. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 14(2):39 ( )

D'Amato, Peter (1996) The savage garden: Cape sundews. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 25(2):35-38 ( )