A compact carnivorous sundew forming a glistening rosette of red-tentacled, insect-trapping strap leaves, ideal for sunny windowsills.
Light ExposureinfoIndoor light recommendation based on the plant's native habitat. "Bright indirect" means near a window but shielded from direct rays.
Bright Indirect To Some Direct — Morning sun is beneficial. Avoid midday scorch.
Watering HabitinfoHow forgiving this plant is when you miss a watering or accidentally overwater. High tolerance means more room for error.
Moderate — Consistent moisture preferred.
Maintenance DifficultyinfoOverall ease of care rating. Beginner-friendly plants communicate their needs clearly through visible signs.
High — Great for beginners. Communicates needs clearly.
Spatial RequirementinfoExpected mature size in a typical indoor environment. Actual size depends on light, pot size, and growing conditions.
Compact — Best for Living Room, Bathroom.
Seasonal BehaviourinfoHow this plant's growth changes with the seasons. Use this to adjust your care routine throughout the year.
Slows in Winter — Growth dips during shorter days. Ease off watering and skip fertilizer until spring.
Temperature NeedsinfoThis range represents the plant's survival tolerance. Optimal growing temperatures are typically 5-10°C higher than the minimum.
10°C – 30°C — Cool-Tolerant — Standard indoor is warm enough. Tolerates cooler rooms — no special heating needed.
Leaf Size
infoBetween 5 and 20 cm — the most common range for houseplants. Think peace lily or Chinese evergreen.Medium
Leaf Surface
infoVisible fuzz or hairs you can see and feel. Gives a fuzzy, tactile quality.Hairy
Leaf Texture
infoA balanced, typical thickness. Flexible enough to bend, tough enough for everyday handling.Medium
Leaf Shape
infoLong, flexible, and moderately wide — like a ribbon or strap. No distinct petiole.Strap Shaped
Leaf Type
infoOne continuous leaf blade, even if it has holes or shallow lobes (like Monstera).Simple
Visual Form
infoLeaves radiate from the centre in a circular pattern. Star-like from above.Rosette
Foliage Density
infoPartially filled — some gaps but overall good coverage. A natural, balanced look.Moderate
Size Gauge
Height
Compact / Desk (0.15m)
Spread
Narrow (0.15m)
Display Position
Windowsill, Tabletop
Perfect for
Living Room, Sunroom, Bathroom
Color Palette
Check the soil frequently — it should never dry out completely. When the surface feels just barely dry, it's time to water.
Close to a window with a few hours of gentle morning sun. A sheer curtain helps soften harsh afternoon rays.
Any standard indoor potting mix from the garden center will do. Add a handful of coco coir if you want it to hold moisture a bit longer.
Happy in cooler rooms — anywhere between 10–30°C is fine. Avoid placing near radiators or heat vents. Thrives in high humidity (60–80%). A bathroom or kitchen spot is ideal, or use a humidifier nearby.
This is a fast grower — you'll see new leaves regularly and may need to repot every year and mostly takes care of itself. Just remove the occasional yellow leaf.
What Makes It Special
Carnivorous rosette with dramatically mobile leaves that curl >180° around prey to form a digestive pouch within ~30 minutes, with sticky acidic polysaccharide mucilage (6× more viscous than water, threads to 1 m) secreted by red tentacle-like glandular hairs to lure, trap and digest insects for nitrogen on nutrient-poor acidic substrates.
Botanical Archive
Droseraceae · Drosera
Drosera capensis L.
Cape Provinces
Storage and Survival Organ
None Obvious
How this plant survives unfavorable seasons
Seasonal Growth Cycle
Year Round Mild Winter Slow
When to expect new growth and feed actively
Clonal Spread
Basal Offsets
How this plant naturally expands in a pot
Root Sensitivity
High
How carefully you should handle roots during repotting
Attachment Strategy
Terrestrial
How this plant anchors itself in its native environment
Root System
Fleshy Roots
The structure and behavior of the root system
Light Ecology
Full Exposure
The light environment this plant evolved to thrive in
Growth Habit
Semi Woody
How persistent and structural the plant tissue is