Reviving a Shipped Cape Sundew: Acclimation, Light, and Indoor Growing Options

A new Drosera capensis arrived by mail, was potted in pure peat moss (Miracle-Gro brand, later identified as fertilized), and placed in full sun – resulting in blackened, withering leaf tips. The expert diagnoses two problems: no acclimation period after shipping, and fertilized peat moss.

Immediate Steps

• Shade for one week, then gradually increase light.
• Repot into unfertilized media – Baled sphagnum peat (no additives) mixed with perlite or sand.
• Avoid hot afternoon sun – Morning sun (eastern exposure) is ideal.

Indoor Lighting Solution

The grower lives in a third-floor apartment with only a few hours of morning sun. The expert confirms D. capensis thrives under fluorescent lights: a two-tube T-12 shop light is ideal; a compact fluorescent desk lamp works for a single plant. Lights should run 12–14 hours daily, suspended 3–4 inches above the plant. The plant can summer outdoors but must come inside before frost (it's native to Zone 9 climates).

Key lesson: never use bagged peat from big-box stores – it often contains fertilizer lethal to carnivorous plants.