Carnivorous- Spoon Sundew

Drosera spatulata, commonly called spoonleaf sundew, is a small carnivorous plant native to Australia and Southeast Asia known for its low rosette of spoon-shaped leaves covered in glistening, sticky tentacles. What makes this plant special is its active trapping—each leaf produces dew-like droplets that attract and capture small insects, allowing it to thrive in nutrient-poor conditions.

Light drives both color and dew production. Place it in a south-facing window where it receives strong, direct light. Under grow lights, use 5000K–6500K placed 6–10 inches from the top of the plant. In lower light, the plant will stay greener with less “dew” and slower growth. Strong light brings out red tones and keeps the sticky droplets consistent.

Watering and setup are very specific. Keep the plant sitting in distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water only—never tap. The soil should stay constantly wet using a carnivorous plant mix (peat and perlite, no fertilizer). This plant shows stress quickly—if the dew disappears, it’s usually a light or water quality issue. If leaves turn black rapidly from the center, it can be rot from poor conditions. Healthy plants stay low, sticky, and actively producing new leaves from the center.