Species of the Drosera spatulata group are found from New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia, through southern Asia, and into China and Japan. This group is in desperate need of taxonomic study. Depending on your point of view, other species in the group include Drosera tokaiensis and Drosera spatulata ssp. lovellae or Drosera lovellae.

There are a number of chromosomal races currently lumped into Drosera spatulata. And within each chromosomal race there are plant form varieties. The variation from location to location can be quite extreme within Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. The smallest forms get to about 2 cm wide. The largest is the 7 cm wide Lovellae form found on Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia. The forms in Australia tend to have long spatulate (spoon) to cuneate (cone shaped) leaves with the petiole being short and gradating into the lamina. New Zealand forms tend to have leaves with the petiole longer than the lamina with the lamina being orbicular (round) to cuneate-obovate (flattened oval). Tasmania has both forms. To make matters even more interesting, there are distinct subtropical, temperate, and alpine forms.

The species Drosera tokaiensis appears to have resulted from natural hybridization between Drosera rotundifolia and the Kanto form of Drosera spatulata.  A plant appearing to be the first generation hybrid is sterile and has been given the name D. tokaiensis ssp. hyugaensis.  D. tokaiensis has twice as many chromosomes as D. tokaiensis ssp. hyugaensis and is quite fertile and vigorous.

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

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

Sow seeds of Drosera spatulata 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 spatulata can live for years. The plants tend to go though cycles of growth and semi-dormancy. They can easily be propagated from leaf cuttings when actively growing. When they bloom, save the seeds to grow more. If you have lots of seed, send the extra in to the Seed Bank.

Drosera spatulata from Queensland, Australia. This 20 mm wide plant is of the typical Australian form, only small. It looks a lot like a miniature Drosera aliciae.	Drosera spatulata from Stewart Island, New Zealand. This 20 mm wide plant prefers cooler conditions as found in its native habitat.
Drosera spatulata from Hong Kong.  These plants are about 35 mm wide.  Note the D. spatulata from Stewart Island in the lower right corner. Bad. Drosera spatulata from Hong Kong is one of the easier D. spatuata varieties and has been given the cultivar name 'Ruby Slippers'.