Cape Sundew Seeds

Cape Sundew — Drosera capensis

With the Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis) you grow one of the most fascinating carnivorous plants. Sticky tentacles trap small insects and digest them over 1-2 weeks. Tentacle motion in 30 seconds — one of the fastest plant movements. Ideal for carnivore beginners: very robust, easy to propagate, self-seeds readily.

What's in the box

• 200 seeds Drosera capensis — tested for germination
• Illustrated growing guide in 8 languages (on the seed card)
• Minimum shelf life: 2 years from packaging date

Growing in brief

• Prep: soak seeds 24 h in lukewarm water
• Sowing: in loose, moist seed compost
• Temperature: 20-25 (Lichtkeimer) °C
• Germination: 3-6 weeks

Position & care in detail

• Light: full sun — the more sun, the redder the tentacles
• Humidity: very high (90 % under glass)
• Substrate: carnivorous substrate: sphagnum + silica sand (1:1)
• Watering: always from below — saucer permanently with rainwater/distilled
• Feeding: NEVER fertilise — they catch insects themselves
• Wintering: Frost-tender — minimum 5 °C

Sowing date & timeline

The ideal sowing date depends on the plant type.

Indoors sowing is possible year-round if heat mat and grow light are available. January to April is optimal: after germination the seedling can grow vigorously through spring/summer before light declines in autumn.

Directly outdoors only for frost-hardy species and after mid-May. Frost-tender species should first be raised in pots indoors, then hardened off after mid-May before being placed outdoors.

Pot choice & transplanting

Pot size and transplanting evolve with the plant:

• Sowing: 6×6 cm seed tray per seed or tray pots. Use low-nutrient seed compost.
• Seedling: prick out at 2-3 true leaves into a 9 cm pot with nutrient-rich compost.
• Established: repot every 1-2 years into a pot 2-3 cm larger. Mature plants need 5-30 L pot volume depending on the species.

Tips & tricks

• Use a heat mat: bottom heat at 25 °C speeds germination by weeks
• Mini greenhouse: cover seed tray with a transparent lid or cling film — keeps humidity high
• Prefer fresh seed: the fresher the seed, the higher the germination rate — sow soon after delivery
• Only rainwater or distilled water — tap water is lethal (lime and salts)
• Tray method: fill saucer 2-3 cm, always wet
• Light germinator — sow on surface, cover with film until germination

Good to know

• Native range: South Africa, Cape region — bogs and wet heaths
• Height: 0.3 m, in a pot 0.15-0.25 m
• Carnivorous! Sticky tentacles trap and digest insects
• Tentacle motion in 30 seconds — one of the fastest plant movements
• Ideal beginner carnivore — very robust
• Readily self-seeds in the seed tray

Seed storage

Unopened or leftover Saflax seeds keep for 2 years if stored correctly. Keep dry, cool (vegetable drawer in fridge) and in the original packaging — moisture drastically reduces germination. Test germinability before each sowing: 5 seeds on moist kitchen paper in a covered plastic dish at 22-25 °C — if 4-5 germinate, the rest are reliable.

FAQs

How long does germination take?
Typically 3-6 at 20-25 (Lichtkeimer) °C. Bottom heat (heat mat) shortens germination significantly, often by half.

Can it grow outdoors?
In summer yes, in a sheltered, semi-shaded position. Bring indoors before first frost, min. 5 °C in winter.

How fast does it grow?
Slow in the first year (establishment phase), then notably faster from year two with optimal care and the right position.

Do I need special tools?
A simple seed tray, compost and a bright position are enough. A heat mat (~CHF 30) and a mini greenhouse noticeably improve germination but are not mandatory.

What if seeds don't germinate?
Patience — many exotic species take 4-12 weeks. Check temperature (heat mat!), substrate moisture (evenly moist, never wet) and whether the seeds require stratification or scarification. Saflax seeds are tested for germination before dispatch.

Do I have to feed it insects?
No — it catches enough itself. Indoor plants may need occasional live food (fruit flies) or summer outdoors.

Why is it sticky?
Tentacles secrete sticky mucilage — insects stick, the plant rolls them in and digests over 1-2 weeks.

How best to store leftover seeds?
In the sealed original packet, dry and cool (vegetable drawer of fridge at 4-8 °C). Germinability is preserved through the full 2-year shelf life. Reseal immediately after opening and acclimatise to room temperature before sowing.