Cape sundew
Drosera capensis
Also called Sundew and Drosera
Houseplant · CarnivorousIt seeds itself into every neighbouring pot — the seed is dust and it does not need your help. The easiest carnivore to keep and the hardest to keep in one place.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 3 daysFrom below — stand the pot in a couple of centimetres of water.
- Light
- Bright light with some direct sun
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Average to high
- Hardiness
- Tender — no frost at all RHS H2, to 1°C
- Size
- 0.25 m tall · 0.25 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- The Cape, in South Africa
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-05. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- New leaves open with bare tentacles and no drops on the ends — dry air, or a tray that was allowed to run empty.Dewless leaves · disorder