The Drosera Spatulata is considered one of the easiest sundew plants to grow as a houseplant
and is a good starting point for beginners to carnivorous plants. Commonly referred to as the
Spoon-leaf sundew, the leaves of the Drosera Spatulata resemble tiny green teaspoons. Like
many in the Drosera species, the spoon-leaved Sundew is not a large plant and frequently
measures about 1 inch across. It is covered with tiny red hairs that act like tentacles when small
insects land on its leaves. In addition, it produces white or pink flowers.
As is common in the Drosera species, the Spatulata will thrive in full sun to part-shade. If you
live in a particularly warm climate, an eastern or western facing window is preferable to avoid
scorching. If you have your heart set on keeping it in a southern facing window, add a sheer
curtain between your plant and the window. Short on windowsill space? The spoon-leaved
Sundew can also thrive under a plant light.
Aside from providing adequate lighting conditions, you will want to use the right growing
medium. Sundews prefer sandy, low-nitrogen soil. You can purchase a variety from our store or
mix 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent horticultural sand.
Nitrogen-based fertilizers can burn the roots of Sundew plants and kill them. Instead, as
carnivorous plants, sundews will need a steady diet of small insects, such as house flies, ants,
and spiders. Keep an eye on your plant so that you can monitor the number of insects sticking
to its leaves. If you don’t see a steady stream of insects falling prey to your Drosera Spatulata’s
sweet-smelling nectar, be sure to supplement either by trapping live insects or purchasing
freeze-dried larvae and feeding them to the plant.
The Drosera Spatulata is native to warmer climates such as Southeast Asia and Australia, and
will not go through a period of dormancy. As a more tropical plant, the Spoonleaf Sundew is less
cold-tolerant, however, so you will want to keep your Spoon-leaf Sundew as an indoor plant and
ensure it is never in a room colder than 45 degrees fahrenheit. In addition, because it never
needs to hibernate, the spoon-leaved Sundew will produce white or pink flowers almost
continually in optimal conditions. The Spatulata is sometimes referred to as the “weed” Drosera
since its flowers drop so many seeds that it self-propagates easily.
One of the few special requirements of this (and all) sundew plants is purified water. Sundews
are particularly affected by the minerals in tap water; thus, you must water your Drosera
Spatulata with distilled water or rainwater to avoid killing the plant. If your home employs a
reverse osmosis system, you can also use water from it.