How to Grow English Sundew
iNaturalist
English Sundew
Drosera anglica
flowerEnglish Sundew is a carnivorous perennial plant with distinctive reddish, gland-tipped tentacles that trap and digest insects for nutrition. Native to temperate wetlands and bogs across the Northern Hemisphere, it thrives in acidic, nutrient-poor environments. This delicate plant produces small white or pink flowers on thin stalks and grows only a few inches tall.
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Example English Sundew timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant English Sundew
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First English Sundew blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact English Sundew dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-7; prefers cool temperate climates
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Get my English Sundew timeline →Growth Stages
Seed Germination
4-8 weeksTiny seeds germinate on moist sphagnum moss surface. First leaves appear as microscopic rosette beginnings.
Requires cold stratification (4-6 weeks at 40°F). Keep moss constantly moist. Use only distilled water. Maintain high humidity with plastic covering.
Rosette Formation
8-12 weeksPlant develops its characteristic rosette pattern with reddish tentacles covered in sticky glands. Leaves remain small (1-2 inches long).
Ensure bright indirect light. Maintain moisture without waterlogging. Never fertilize. Monitor for fungal issues in high humidity.
Vegetative Growth
2-3 monthsRosette expands slowly, producing more tentacles. Plant may produce small offset rosettes or runners.
Continue consistent moisture and humidity. Allow insects to be naturally trapped for nutrition. Do not feed artificially. Avoid disturbance.
Flowering
4-6 weeksThin flower stalk emerges from center of rosette bearing small white or pale pink flowers arranged in a raceme.
Flowers typically appear in summer (June-August in Northern Hemisphere). Do not disturb flowering stalk. Allow self-pollination for seed production.
Dormancy
3-4 monthsIn autumn/winter, plant forms a compact winter bud and reduces growth. Above-ground foliage may die back completely.
Reduce watering slightly but keep soil from completely drying. Lower temperatures (35-50°F) are beneficial. Dormancy is critical for flowering and long-term survival.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Improve air circulation; allow brief dry periods between watering; use peat-based traps; maintain hygiene
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and
(Botrytis, Pythium)
Ensure air circulation; avoid overcrowding; reduce humidity if rot appears; use sterile soil and water; remove affected tissues
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Increase humidity (they prefer dry conditions); mist with distilled water; improve air circulation
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Manually remove; natural predation by carnivorous function; spray with distilled water only if severe
Uses
Natural Insect Control
WildlifeEnglish Sundew traps and digests insects, making it an excellent biological pest control agent in enclosed growing spaces and greenhouses. The sticky tentacles attract and trap flying insects naturally without chemical intervention. [source]
Traditional Respiratory Remedy
MedicinalHistorically, sundews were used in traditional European herbalism to prepare cough remedies and bronchial tinctures, though modern scientific evidence is limited. The plant contains compounds that were believed to have expectorant properties. [source]
Bog Garden Specimen
HouseholdEnglish Sundew is a prized addition to terrariums, bog gardens, and carnivorous plant collections, valued for its unusual appearance and low-maintenance care requirements once established. It adds visual interest and demonstrates fascinating botanical adaptations. [source]
Scientific and Educational Display
CraftThe plant serves as an excellent educational tool for studying plant adaptations, nutrient cycling in nutrient-poor soils, and evolutionary responses to environmental constraints. It demonstrates how plants adapt to nitrogen-deficient habitats. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
English Sundew is not harvested for food or traditional medicine. If growing for seed, allow flowers to mature fully, then collect seed heads before they dry and split. Seeds can be stored dry in a cool place. For propagation, collect ripe seed capsules in late summer and surface-sow on fresh moist moss immediately or after cold stratification.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 English Sundew is entirely carnivorous and obtains most of its nitrogen and phosphorus from digested insects rather than soil, allowing it to thrive in nutrient-poor bogs where most plants cannot survive.
- 🌱 The sticky, reddish glands on the tentacles contain digestive enzymes similar to those found in animal stomachs, enabling the plant to slowly dissolve and absorb insect tissue over several days.
- 🌱 English Sundew produces seeds that are extremely tiny—approximately 1 mm long—and require very specific cold, wet conditions to germinate, making seed propagation challenging but rewarding for enthusiasts.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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