Fraser Island Sundew and Pinguicula primuliflora: Light Over Humidity

Fixing Struggling Fraser Island Sundew and P. primuliflora in NYC

An NYC grower (Zone 6) has a Fraser Island Form sundew (browning clumps, no new growth) and P. primuliflora (new growth but rotting leaves) after removing bottle terrariums. Options: balcony (4 hr direct sun), balcony shade, or windowsill. Asks about tray watering, terrariums, and supplemental lighting.

Fraser Island Form

Expert Prescription

• Fraser Island Sundew: Full sun in a water tray. Needs to be dark red. Bring indoors before frost. Supplement winter with 2-tube fluorescent shop light (48", 40W cool white).
• P. primuliflora: Keep in window, but transplant to a large pot with sand top-dressing (standard 1:1 peat/perlite). It rots easily in small pots. Best long-term: plant among Sarracenia outdoors (hardy to 20°F). Fluorescent light helps.

Core issue: focusing on humidity (terrariums) instead of light. Death cubes reinforce this myth.