Reviving a Light-Starved Drosera capensis: Symptoms and Recovery

Drosera capensis

Diagnosis

No dew, white/curling leaves, dark spots = classic insufficient light. South window in summer may get less direct sun due to high sun angle.

Recovery Plan

1. Verify actual direct sun hours (need 4–6 hours + bright indirect rest of day).
2. Move to better location or add artificial lights (40W+ fluorescent, 10 inches, 14 hrs/day).
3. Be patient: new leaves will produce dew in 2 weeks; old leaves stay dry.

Key Principle

The plant judges light adequacy, not you. If it's not dewy, it's not bright enough.

Resource

DVD Volume 2 (releasing Dec 1) covers tropical sundew lighting in detail.

Good Growing!

Jacob Farin