Cape Sundews Dying Despite Good Care: Troubleshooting Checklist

Three D. capensis (broad leaf, red leaf) in south/west windows (rotated), three under fluorescent light. All fading: black leaf tips, dew loss, complete drying. Distilled water, tray method, no drafts. Flytraps and butterworts thrive in same conditions.

Key Suspects

1. Moving plants between windows—they hate relocation. Pick the sunniest window and leave them.
2. Heat stress—Cape sundews prefer cool temps (coastal SA origin, max ~80°F). Flytraps love heat; this may be the clue.
3. Age/root bound—old plants get "tree-like" and decline until repotted.
4. Pests—check with hand lens: aphids (crinkled leaves), cutworms (stem collapse).

Next Steps

Send photos (phone is fine) to cp-info@growcarnivorousplants.com. Capes are usually weeds—something subtle is off. Stop rotating. Check temps. Inspect for pests. Photos will pinpoint it.