How to Grow Oblong Sundew
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Oblong Sundew
Drosera intermedia
flowerOblong Sundew is a small carnivorous plant featuring distinctive reddish tentacle-like glandular hairs that trap and digest insects. Native to wetlands and boggy areas across North America, Europe, and Asia, it relies on nutrient-poor soil for survival. The plant produces delicate white or pale pink flowers on thin stems above its rosette of carnivorous leaves.
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Example Oblong Sundew timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Oblong 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 Oblong Sundew blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Oblong Sundew dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in cooler temperate regions (zones 4-7)
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Seed & Germination
2-4 weeksTiny seeds placed on moist sphagnum surface; germination begins in 2-4 weeks under cool, humid conditions
Maintain high humidity under plastic cover; provide bright light; keep substrate consistently moist; ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues
Seedling & Rosette Formation
4-8 weeksSmall rosettes of narrow, oblong leaves covered in glistening red tentacles develop; leaves reach 0.5-1 inch length
Maintain distilled water moisture; provide bright indirect light; keep humidity high (70-80%); thin seedlings if crowded; avoid transplanting until 2-3 leaves form
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksRosette expands to 2-3 inches diameter; leaf production accelerates; plant develops deeper red coloration under bright conditions; carnivorous tentacles actively trap insects
Maintain constant moisture with distilled water; ensure bright light; allow natural insect prey to supplement nutrition; do not fertilize; monitor for fungal issues in high humidity
Flowering
3-6 weeksThin flower stalks emerge from rosette center, reaching 4-8 inches tall; delicate white or pale pink flowers open, typically 5-petaled
Continue consistent watering and bright light; flowers typically self-pollinate; allow flowers to mature for seed production; remove spent flowers to redirect energy if desired
Seed Production & Dormancy
4-8 weeks (seed maturation); variable dormancy periodSeed pods develop from fertilized flowers; seeds mature in 2-3 weeks; plant may enter dormancy in autumn/winter depending on climate and season
Allow seed pods to dry on plant before collecting; collect seeds when pods brown; store seeds in cool, dry conditions; dormancy is natural; reduce watering slightly if plant enters dormancy but maintain some moisture
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Improve air circulation with small fan; reduce leaf moisture; remove infected leaves immediately; use well-draining substrate; avoid overcrowding
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Increase humidity to 70%+; spray gently with distilled water; isolate affected plants; mist regularly
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Remove manually with soft brush or cotton swab; isolate plant; spray with insecticidal soap safe for sensitive plants (test first)
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and
Switch exclusively to distilled water or rainwater; flush substrate with distilled water if already affected; prevent by never using tap water
Uses
Traditional respiratory remedy
MedicinalSundew species have been used in traditional European herbalism to address cough and bronchial conditions. The plant produces compounds that have been studied for antispasmodic properties. [source]
Natural insect control
WildlifeThe carnivorous tentacles actively trap and digest flying insects, providing natural pest control for indoor or outdoor growing areas while demonstrating remarkable predatory adaptation. [source]
Educational display plant
HouseholdOblong Sundew serves as a fascinating living demonstration of plant adaptation and carnivory, making it ideal for educational settings and botanical curiosity. [source]
Botanical specimen collection
CraftPressed sundew leaves with their distinctive glandular hairs create striking botanical specimens for herbals and pressed plant art projects, preserving their intricate structure. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Sundews are not typically harvested for food or material use. For seed collection: Allow flowers to self-pollinate and mature; collect seed pods when fully dry and brown (typically 4-6 weeks after flowering); store seeds in cool (40°F/4°C), dry conditions for up to 1-2 years. Do not harvest leaves—the plant is delicate and leaf removal damages the carnivorous mechanism.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Oblong Sundew's tentacles produce a sticky mucilage that glistens in sunlight, resembling dewdrops—hence the name 'sundew.' Insects attracted to the glistening droplets become trapped, and the plant slowly digests them over several days using enzymes similar to those in animal digestive systems.
- 🌱 The reddish coloration of the tentacles serves dual purposes: it attracts insects (mimicking nectar or flowers) and indicates high anthocyanin production, which increases under bright light and may protect the plant from UV damage.
- 🌱 Sundews are among the most efficient carnivorous plants, capable of obtaining 50-80% of their nitrogen through insect digestion, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor bog environments where other plants cannot survive.
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