Cape sundew Drosera capensis
Cape sundew (Drosera capensis) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Droseraceae family, native to Seeps and marshes of the Western Cape, South Africa. It grows 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 10 cm (4 in) apart.
Plan Cape sundew in your garden →
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Cape sundew at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Droseraceae |
| Mature height | 10–30 cm (4–12 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 10 cm (4 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4–6 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 26–52 weeks after planting, for 6–13 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Seeps and marshes of the Western Cape, South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| Invasive in | New Zealand (wetlands around Auckland): check local rules before planting |
Is Cape sundew toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cape sundew
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Cape sundew
- How far apart should I plant Cape sundew?
- About 10 cm (4 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Cape sundew need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cape sundew need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Cape sundew?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Cape sundew flower?
- About 26–52 weeks after planting, for 6–13 weeks.
- Is Cape sundew poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Cape sundew?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cape sundew. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- International Carnivorous Plant Society: cultivation and species guides, International Carnivorous Plant Society
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- A carnivorous bog plant: grow it in wet, nutrient-poor peat and sand, water only with rain or distilled water, never feed the soil, and give it full sun.
- Strap-shaped leaves covered in red tentacles tipped with glistening drops of sticky glue; when an insect sticks, the tentacles and the whole leaf slowly curl around it. The easiest carnivorous plant, so easy that it self-seeds through collections and has escaped into New Zealand wetlands.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Venus flytrap Dionaea muscipula
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Foxglove Digitalis purpurea