Alice Sundew • Standard Care Guide

Care overview

A South African subtropical rosette sundew. It normally grows year-round without a true dormancy when kept warm and brightly lit.

Light

Very bright light, several hours of gentle direct sun or a strong grow light. High light is needed for compact growth, red colouring and good dew production.

Watering

Keep consistently wet using the tray method. Sit the pot in approximately 1–2cm of rainwater, distilled water or RO water and never allow the substrate to dry.

Humidity

Moderate humidity is sufficient when the roots remain wet. Good airflow helps prevent mould around the rosette.

Temperature

15–30°C

Feeding and fertiliser

Do not fertilise the substrate. Allow the plant to catch insects naturally; use only species-appropriate foliar or pitcher feeding if ever needed.

Potting mix

Use nutrient-free carnivorous plant compost or a thoroughly rinsed coco coir/perlite mix. Never use fertilised houseplant compost.

Propagation

Seed, leaf cuttings, root cuttings and division

Support

Compact ground-level rosette. No support required.

Mature size

Most rosettes remain compact at roughly 5–20 cm across, while forked or climbing sundews may produce taller foliage and flower stems.

Semi-hydro suitability

Suitability depends on the plant, root condition and the chosen semi-hydro system.

Dormancy and winter growth

This plant can enter a genuine dormant phase, with foliage dying back temporarily. Reduce watering while dormant and resume normal care when fresh growth appears.

About this plant

Alice Sundew (Drosera aliciae) is held in the Snip & Sprout permanent collection and propagated in small batches when suitable parent growth is available.

Crown, rhizome or root decline

Likely cause

Causes vary by genus and can include unsuitable moisture, poor aeration, heat, cold, damaged tissue and disease.

What to do

Inspect the affected plant and correct conditions according to the genus rather than applying one watering rule to all carnivorous plants.

Mineral or fertiliser damage

Likely cause

Many commonly grown carnivorous plants are adapted to nutrient-poor conditions and can be damaged by mineral-rich water, unsuitable compost or inappropriate fertiliser use.

What to do

Use water and growing media recommended for the genus. Rainwater, distilled water or other suitably low-mineral water is appropriate for many commonly grown types.

Poor growth

Likely cause

Insufficient light, unsuitable water, the wrong growing medium, incorrect moisture or a normal dormancy period can all reduce growth.

What to do

Check the requirements of the genus and species. Carnivorous plants do not all share the same moisture, temperature or dormancy needs.

Does Alice Sundew go dormant in winter?

This plant can enter a genuine dormant phase, with foliage dying back temporarily. Reduce watering while dormant and resume normal care when fresh growth appears.

How large can Alice Sundew grow indoors?

Most rosettes remain compact at roughly 5–20 cm across, while forked or climbing sundews may produce taller foliage and flower stems.

What water should I use?

Use rainwater, distilled water or reverse-osmosis water unless the individual care guidance states otherwise. Mineral-rich tap water can damage many carnivorous plants over time.