How to Grow Pink Sundew
iNaturalist
Pink Sundew
Drosera capillaris
flowerPink Sundew is a small carnivorous plant native to the southeastern United States, characterized by reddish-pink glandular tentacles that trap and digest insects. It forms a low rosette of leaves covered in sticky droplets that glisten in sunlight, giving the plant its common name. These delicate plants thrive in boggy, nutrient-poor environments where they supplement their diet with prey.
When should you plant Pink Sundew in your zone?
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Example Pink Sundew timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pink 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 Pink Sundew blooms
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pink Sundew dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Best in zones 8-10; can be grown as a tender perennial or houseplant in cooler climates
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Get my Pink Sundew timeline →Growth Stages
Seed germination
2-4 weeksTiny seeds on soil surface; no covering required; seeds are dust-like and difficult to see
Maintain high humidity and consistent moisture; provide bright light; germination takes 2-4 weeks
Rosette establishment
6-8 weeksSmall rosette of 4-8 leaves forms; glandular tentacles become visible and sticky
Maintain boggy conditions; never allow soil to dry out; provide bright light
Vegetative growth
8-12 weeksRosette expands with 15-25 leaves; plant remains compact and low-growing
Continue wet, acidic conditions; ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues
Flowering
4-8 weeksDelicate pink to white flowers emerge on thin stalks above the rosette in summer
Maintain moisture; do not disturb flowering stalks; flowers may produce seeds
Dormancy (seasonal)
variesPlant may slow growth or enter dormancy in winter depending on climate
Reduce watering slightly but keep soil moist; maintain cooler temperatures if possible
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; spray with distilled water; improve air circulation; avoid chemical pesticides
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Ensure good air circulation; allow slight surface drying between waterings if possible; isolate plant if infected
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and
(fungal issues)
Provide excellent ventilation; avoid wetting leaves; maintain high humidity without stagnation
Uses
Natural pest control
WildlifePink Sundew attracts and traps insects including mosquitoes, gnats, and small flies, making it a biological pest management tool for indoor or outdoor spaces. [source]
Botanical specimen and display
CraftThese visually striking plants with their shimmering, sticky tentacles are popular for terrarium gardens, bog gardens, and plant collections, appreciated by carnivorous plant enthusiasts. [source]
Traditional herbal use
MedicinalSome sundew species have been used in traditional herbalism for respiratory conditions and cough remedies, though Pink Sundew research is limited and clinical evidence is minimal. [source]
Living air purification
HouseholdAs an insect-trapping plant, Pink Sundew helps reduce flying insect populations indoors, contributing to a cleaner living environment when grown in homes or offices. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Do not harvest the plant itself as it is ornamental and carnivorous. Collect seeds from dried flower stalks after blooming; allow seed pods to fully mature and dry on the plant before harvesting; store seeds in cool, dry conditions
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The sticky 'dew' droplets on Pink Sundew's leaves are actually adhesive digestive secretions that trap insects; once stuck, the plant's tentacles slowly curl inward to bring prey to the center where it is digested over several days
- 🌱 Pink Sundew can thrive in soils so nutrient-poor that most plants would starve, because it supplements its diet by dissolving and absorbing nutrients from trapped insects—an adaptation to boggy environments
- 🌱 The plant's common name 'sundew' refers to the way morning dew catches on the sticky tentacles, making them glisten like jewels in the sunlight, though the 'dew' is not water but the plant's own sticky secretions
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