Drosera Capensis Alba

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Drosera Capensis Alba

If you’re new to carnivorous plants, the Drosera Capensis Alba is an excellent beginner plant. Also known as a white Cape Sundew, the Capensis Alba is the albino version of Drosera Capensis. It lacks anthocyanin, which gives the typical Cape Sundew its distinctive red color. Both the dew-tipped tentacles and the flowers of the Alba are white. As it enjoys the same environmental conditions as its red twin, many people enjoy displaying both in a sunny window to highlight their contrast.

All Drosera Capensis plants can do well in various conditions, which is what makes them so ideal for beginners to carnivore houseplants. Both the red and white varietals are perfect for a sunny, southern-facing window but will also do just fine in part-shade. Cape Sundew plants can also thrive under a plant light. Aside from providing adequate lighting conditions, you will want to ensure the proper soil for your new carnivorous plant. Cape Sundews prefer sandy, low-nitrogen soil. You can purchase a variety from our store or mix 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent horticultural soil.

Cape Sundew plants do not require fertilizer; nitrogen-based fertilizers can burn their roots and kill the plant. Instead, as carnivorous plants, sundews will need a steady diet of small insects, such as house flies, ants, and spiders.

When your Drosera Capensis comes in contact with small household insects, its leaves will act like flypaper (in fact, they’re sometimes called “flypaper” plants). The beautiful hairs that give the sundew its distinctive appearance have sticky droplets at their ends that entrap prey. These droplets provide the Drosera Capensis with its household name of sundew since they can look like drops of glistening dew in direct sunlight. One of the easiest ways to determine whether or not your plant is receiving adequate amounts of light is by the dew on its tips. Cape Sundew plants that do not produce dew for multiple weeks in a row are not receiving enough direct sunlight.

Prey are attracted to the nectar produced by the plant and become stuck. The Drosera then rolls all of its fine hairs around the insect, just like tentacles, to consume it. How long it takes the plant to fully digest its prey depends on the size of that prey.

Don’t worry if you don’t live in a location where your sundew plant is likely to come by these insects without your help: Feeding your Drosera plants freeze-dried insects will provide it with a more than adequate supply of nutrients.

Lastly, your Cape Sundew will need an adequate supply of water. It will require evenly moist soil but should not be overwatered. The Drosera Capensis Alba is sensitive to salt and chlorine, so it’s a good idea to avoid tap water. Instead, consider collecting rainwater or purchasing distilled water.