Reviving an Aging Drosera capensis: Cut Back & Propagate

Tami's 2-year-old "octopus plant" (D. capensis) has brown, dying lower tendrils but still sends up flower stalks. She hasn't changed care.

Natural Aging of Cape Sundew

D. capensis grows like a tiny palm: a central stem with strap leaves. After a couple years the crown weakens and dies back, leaving dead leaves at the base. This is normal.

Rejuvenation Steps

1. Cut the entire crown off at soil level—any time of year.
2. New growth points will sprout from the roots within weeks.
3. Optionally, repot the old crown (strip dead leaves, bury brown stem deep in 50/50 peat/perlite) – it may re-root, but roots are the real engine.
4. Save trimmed roots: lay ¼″ deep in moist peat to clone new plantlets (central roots produce faster plants).

Flowering

Flowers don't harm the plant; seed can be sown for hundreds of seedlings. Cutting the crown speeds vegetative renewal.