Species of the Drosera capillaris group are found in North and South America. The group includes Drosera capillaris found in the south eastern USA and south coastal Brazil, D. esmeraldae found in Colombia and Venezuela, and D. biflora found in Venezuela and northern Brazil. Species of the Drosera capillaris group do not form hibernacula and should be treated as subtropicals. 

There is an extreme amount of variation in Drosera capillaris in the south eastern USA. The plants range from flat and "chubby" like the ones in central Alabama to erect and long petioled like the ones in central Florida. Some populations may vary in form throughout the year or with exposure to the sun. The northern ones are summer growing while the southern ones can be more robust in the winter. The Brazilian plants are similar to the plants from Alabama.

Drosera capillaris and its related species make excellent additions to any terrarium. Remember, some may do better during cooler times of the year while others like it warm. In the seed bank, anything listed as plain Drosera capillaris could be any variety. Known varieties will be listed when possible. Quite often, the rarer forms are only available to seed donors.

Drosera capillaris isn't very picky about soil. It grows well in the standard 1:1 peat:sand "CP mix". It will tend to be redder in peat and under brighter light.

Sow seeds of Drosera capillaris on the surface of your medium of choice. Finely chopped live sphagnum moss over long fibered sphagnum moss or CP mix works very well but the moss can overgrow the plants. Finely chopped dead sphagnum or sand over CP mix also work well.

What you do next depends on what works best for you. Everyone has their own preferred routine. I put pots with seeds in plastic zip-lock bags under but not too close to fluorescent lights. You could also use an aquarium in a greenhouse. The purpose of the plastic bag is to maintain very high humidity and to keep out fungus gnats. Fungus gnat larvae will eat the seedlings. A temperature between 20°C to 25°C (70°F to 80°F) works best. The seeds should germinate in a few weeks. When the new plants have a few true leaves, remove the pots from the plastic bags and put them in a bright terrarium or greenhouse. The seedlings may be a little slow growing at first. Have patience.

Once the plants are large enough you can try feeding them small insects or get some dried blood worms at a pet shop. The dried blood worms can be dipped in water and placed on the dewy leaves--don't feed a plant that isn't dewy. If the food gets moldy, use less next time. A dab of 70% isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) from a small paint brush will kill the fungus.

A happy Drosera capillaris can live for years. The plants tend to go though cycles of growth and semi-dormancy. When they bloom, save the seeds to grow more. If you have lots of seed, send the extra in to the seed bank.

Drosera capillaris from Autauga County, Alabama, growing outdoors under shade cloth. Drosera capillaris from Liberty County, Florida.