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spoon-leaved sundew

A tiny carnivorous sundew forming a mid-green rosette of glistening spoon-shaped leaves, best on a bright windowsill kept in rainwater trays.

Bright LightCompact ScaleToxic to Pets
Ornamental, Medicinalalso known as: Spatulate-leaf sundew, Droséra spatulée
Assessment

Is This For Me?

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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.

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Watering HabitinfoHow forgiving this plant is when you miss a watering or accidentally overwater. High tolerance means more room for error.

Low — Water when soil surface is dry.

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Maintenance DifficultyinfoOverall ease of care rating. Beginner-friendly plants communicate their needs clearly through visible signs.

Low — Requires experienced care.

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Spatial RequirementinfoExpected mature size in a typical indoor environment. Actual size depends on light, pot size, and growing conditions.

Compact — Fits a range of indoor spaces.

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Seasonal BehaviourinfoHow this plant's growth changes with the seasons. Use this to adjust your care routine throughout the year.

Spring / Summer Grower — Only actively grows in warm months. Goes quiet in winter — this is normal. May shed some foliage when the season changes.

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Temperature NeedsinfoThis range represents the plant's survival tolerance. Optimal growing temperatures are typically 5-10°C higher than the minimum.

Cool-Tolerant — Standard indoor is warm enough. Tolerates cooler rooms — no special heating needed.

Appearance & Space

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Leaf Size

infoSmaller than 5 cm — typical of delicate, fine-textured plants like baby tears or creeping sedums.

Small

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Leaf Surface

infoPolished, mirror-like shine. Light catches the surface clearly, creating vivid reflections.

Glossy

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Leaf Shape

infoBroad and rounded at the tip, narrowing toward the base — like an inverted spoon.

Spatulate

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Leaf Type

infoOne continuous leaf blade, even if it has holes or shallow lobes (like Monstera).

Simple

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Visual Form

infoLeaves radiate from the centre in a circular pattern. Star-like from above.

Rosette

Size Gauge

Height

Compact / Desk (0.08m)

Spread

Narrow (0.05m)

Perfect for

A variety of indoor spaces

Color Palette

Mid Green

Core Care Logic

01

How Often to Water

Check the soil frequently — it should never dry out completely. When the surface feels just barely dry, it's time to water.

02

Finding the Right Light

Close to a window with a few hours of gentle morning sun. A sheer curtain helps soften harsh afternoon rays.

03

Choosing the Right Soil

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.

04

Temperature & Humidity

Happy in cooler rooms — anywhere between 13–24°C is fine. Avoid placing near radiators or heat vents. Likes a bit more moisture in the air (50–60%). Grouping it with other plants or a pebble tray helps.

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What to Expect

This is a slow grower — it won't outgrow its spot anytime soon, so enjoy it as-is but benefits from occasional pruning to keep its shape and remove dead foliage.

What Makes It Special

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Carnivorous rosette-forming sundew with spoon-shaped (spathulate) leaves bearing sticky glandular tentacles/trichomes that exude dew-like mucilage to attract, trap and digest insects (flies and other insects), supplementing nitrogen and phosphorus scarce in nutrient-poor soils


auto_awesomeOne of the largest carnivorous plant genera — genus Drosera includes 200–250 species distributed globally from the Americas to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia (widely variable), forming prostrate or upright rosettes and capable of living up to 50 years
auto_awesomeExceptionally wide natural range from Southeast Asia and southern China/Japan through Micronesia and New Guinea to eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand (17 POWO TDWG regions: Borneo, Caroline Is., China Southeast, Japan, Korea, Malaya, Nansei-shoto, New Guinea, New South Wales, New Zealand North/South, Philippines, Queensland, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tasmania, Victoria; temperate biome primary affinity, extinction risk 'not threatened' confident) — one of the most widespread sundews with many locality-based variants

Botanical Archive

Droseraceae · Drosera

Drosera spatulata Labill.

Borneo, Caroline Is., China Southeast

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Storage and Survival Organ

None Obvious

How this plant survives unfavorable seasons

Seasonal Growth Cycle

Seasonal Spring Summer Active

When to expect new growth and feed actively

Attachment Strategy

Terrestrial

How this plant anchors itself in its native environment

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

Quick Verdict

A tiny carnivorous sundew forming a mid-green rosette of glistening spoon-shaped leaves, best on a bright windowsill kept in rainwater trays.


Quick Facts

Lifecycle

Polycarpic Perennial

Foliage

Semi Evergreen

Growth

Rosette

Habitat

Wetland Or Streamside

Habit

Semi Woody

Pruning

None

Feeding

Seasonal

Watering

Steady Moisture

Light

Bright Indirect To Some Direct

Function

Ornamental, Medicinal

Safety

warningToxic to pets