Round-leaved Sundew Seeds

Round-leaved Sundew — Drosera rotundifolia

With the Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) you grow a Swiss-native carnivorous plant yourself. Fully protected by national law — wild collection forbidden. Saflax seeds come exclusively from certified cultivation so you can grow them legally and sustainably. Frost-hardy down to -25 °C, ideal for a bog garden.

What's in the box

• 50 seeds Drosera rotundifolia — 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: 15-22 (Lichtkeimer) °C
• Germination: 4-8 nach Stratifikation weeks

Position & care in detail

• Light: full sun
• Humidity: very high
• Substrate: pure sphagnum or peat-sand mix
• Watering: tray method with rainwater
• Feeding: NEVER fertilise
• Wintering: Frost-hardy down to -25 °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
• Native and protected: never dig up wild plants — Saflax seed is the legal source
• Stratification: 4-8 weeks moist in fridge, then 18-22 °C to germinate
• Leave outside in winter — forms a compact resting bud (hibernaculum)

Good to know

• Native range: Native to Central Europe and Switzerland — raised and transition bogs
• Height: 0.1 m, in a pot 0.05-0.10 m
• Native to Switzerland — fully protected by national law
• Never collect from the wild! Saflax seed from certified cultivation
• Frost-hardy down to -25 °C — winter-hardy in Switzerland
• Stratification: 4-8 weeks cool period for reliable germination

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 4-8 nach Stratifikation at 15-22 (Lichtkeimer) °C. Bottom heat (heat mat) shortens germination significantly, often by half.

Can it grow outdoors?
Yes, year-round — frost-hardy down to -25 °C. In a sheltered position it thrives without issue.

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.

Is it protected in Switzerland?
Yes, fully by federal law (NHG) and in 9 additional cantons. Wild collection forbidden — Saflax seed from cultivation is the legal sustainable source.

Does it survive Swiss winters?
Excellently — Drosera rotundifolia is native to Swiss bogs and easily survives -20 °C. It dies back and regrows in spring.

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.