Drosera Spatulata – IC373

Drosera spatulata, also known as the Spoon-leaved Sundew, is a carnivorous plant that is native to Southeast Asia and Australia. It is a small, herbaceous perennial that grows in a rosette shape and produces long, thin stems with small, spoon-shaped leaves.

Like all sundews, Drosera spatulata captures its prey by using sticky hairs on its leaves that trap insects. When an insect lands on the leaf, the hairs bend inward, bringing the insect closer to the center of the leaf, where it becomes stuck in the sticky secretion. The leaf then curls around the insect, enclosing it in a sticky prison, and the plant secretes digestive enzymes to break down the insect and extract its nutrients.

Drosera spatulata is relatively easy to care for and is a popular choice for home gardeners who want to try growing carnivorous plants. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil that is kept consistently moist. The plant also requires high humidity levels, which can be achieved by placing the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. In terms of feeding, Drosera spatulata can be fed small insects, such as fruit flies or gnats, once or twice a month, but it can survive without being fed if it is placed in a location where it can catch insects on its own.

Care Tips

• Light: Drosera spatulata prefers bright, indirect light. A sunny windowsill or a grow light that provides 12-14 hours of light per day is ideal.
• Soil: Drosera spatulata prefers a soilless growing medium that is made up of peat moss, perlite, and sand. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Water: Water Drosera spatulata with distilled or rainwater. Avoid using tap water, which can contain minerals and other chemicals that are harmful to carnivorous plants. Water the plant from the bottom by placing the pot in a tray of water and allowing the soil to soak up the water from the bottom