Drosera anglica temperate forms

Drosera anglica, also known as the Great sundew or the English sundew, “occurs in Europe, North America, and Japan” (Slack 128). See distribution map at bottom left. Although Drosera anglica is primarily found in temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere, there are two locations in Hawaii where this species occurs as a tropical sundew D. anglica originated from a diploid hybrid between D. linearis and D. rotundifolia. The temperate forms of D. anglica require dormancy, but are still very easy to grow- especially outdoors.
   Drosera anglica (Sarobetsu)
           Drosera anglica (Sarobetsu)

Drosera anglica growing in sopping wet sphagnum in habitat at Mustasuo, Hausjärvi, Southern Finland.
Drosera anglica growing in sopping wet sphagnum in habitat at Mustasuo, Hausjärvi, Southern Finland. Photo used with permission from Tero Laakso.

Drosera anglica with White-faced Darter sopping wet sphagnum in habitat at Mustasuo, Hausjärvi, Southern Finland.
White-faced Darter caught on the English sundew, in habitat at Mustasuo, Hausjärvi, Southern Finland. Photo used with permission from Tero Laakso.

Drosera anglica white flower by  Rosťa Kracík
  Drosera anglica flower by Rosťa Kracík


Drosera anglica in habitat
   D. anglica in habitat by sami kuosmanen

Drosera anglica distribution map by Noah Elhardt
         Drosera anglica distribution map
                 by Noah Elhardt

Media: Not picky. live/dry sphagnum, peat, or a peat/sand mix are possibilities. Remember to rinse your media before you use it.

Media moisture:
Drosera anglica prefers waterlogged media. In habitat, this species "favours sopping blankets of sphagnum moss in which the water table is almost immediately below the surface" (Slack 128). See habitat picture to the left.  

Humidity: not much needed. I'd recommend at least 50%. Try 75-85+% if you want maximal dew production.

Pot height: Not picky- D. anglica can grow very well in shallow pots- especially the smallest forms.

Trapping speed: moderate. Leaves will curl noticeably around food within an hour.

Feeding: Feed once every two weeks for rapid, robust growth and flower production. See feeding page. Feeding encourages maximal seed production and flowering. If left unfed, D. anglica will grow very slowly. If fed a couple of times, you will notice a relative "explosion" of growth within the next month.

Food size: small.

Plant dimensions: Varies depending on the geographical location. Drosera anglica  forms  can grow approx. 3.5-20 cm in height. 

Temperature: approximately 18-25 (roughly 66-80+) degrees C during the growth period.

Lighting/Photoperiod: approx. 12 hours or more in the growth period. Leaves of Drosera anglica will turn red or orange-red under bright lighting. The newest leaves are usually yellow-orange or green with red tentacles, and gradually turn red over time.

Dormancy requirements: D. anglica forms firm hibernacula in the winter. Keep them at approx. 0 degrees C or just slightly above this if storing in the refrigerator. A shorter photoperiod (8 hours or a little less) is needed for hibernaculum formation.

Flowers: The flowers of Drosera anglica have white petals. D. anglica raises a several scapes during the growth period

Genetics: Drosera anglica (2n=40) is a species originated from a diploid hybrid between D. linearis (2n=20) and D. rotundifolia (2n=20). Source.

Propagation Techniques

(click here to learn more about propagating sundews)

Seed: Cold Stratification is required. Drosera anglica is generally very easy to germinate, especially if fresh seed is used. 

Leaf-cuttings: very easy. Place on long-fibered sphagnum, or use the water floating method. Place directly under lights for the fastest, highest success rate. A dim windowsill will also work, but it will take a bit longer. Follow the guidelines on this page to speed up the growth of the plantlets.

Stem cuttings: should work well on established plants, but I have not tried this before. Visit the stem cutting article for more detailed information.

Root cuttings: work pretty well, but only use the thickest, largest roots.


Divisions: easy. D. anglica tends to form clumps over time. It is safest to separate clumped Drosera anglica once they’ve formed hibernacula in the fall. Smaller plantlets can be easily transplanted, and can tolerate root disturbance quite well, so divisions can be taken easily at this stage (as long as you are somewhat careful). Older plants can also be transplanted if you’re careful, but they have long, sometimes thin roots, which can break easily.

References: Slack, Adrian. Carnivorous Plants. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 2000.

Additional Questions or Suggestions?

Contact me at: sundewman(at)yahoo.com