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Drosera capensis narrow-leaved
  • RHS AGM

narrow-leaved Cape Colony sundew

Drosera capensis is a clumping, perennial carnivorous plant, to 15cm in height producing basal rosettes of linear-oblong to spoon-shaped leaves, 3 - 6cm (1½ - 2½ in) long on a short stem. Leaves are green and covered with red, sticky, glandular hairs, which trap and digest insect prey. A red-leaved form is also available in cultivation. Racemes to 30cm (12in) in height, of 6-20, rose-pink flowers 2cm (¾in) across, are produced from spring through to autumn and occasionally into winter

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Red Green
Summer Pink Red Green
Autumn Pink Green
Winter Pink Red Green
Position
  • Full shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Droseraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Drosera, commonly known as the sundews are one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants. They are perennial or (more rarely) annual, upright herbaceous plants forming either prostrate or upright rosettes, and can live for up to 50 years.

Name status

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a mix of equal parts moss peat or fertiliser-free peat substitute and sand, in full light, although may need shading from hot midday sun in summer. The compost should be kept continually moist to wet during the growing season by standing the container in a tray of lime-free water, such as rainwater or Reverse Osmosis water. Keep just moist during the winter and do not stand the plants in water. Do not apply fertiliser at all through the year. Minimum temperatures should be no lower than 5C in the winter. In consistently lower temperatures the plant produces overwintering buds called hibernacula at the apex of the old stem, whilst the foliage dies back. When the plant dies back to the roots, it often regenerates again in the spring when the temperatures rise.

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe. Stored seed rapidly loses viability. Leaf cuttings during the growing season and root cuttings taken when dormant are alternative methods of propagation

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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