The Winter Cultivation of Pygmy Sundews

Pictured above - Young Drosera swelliae sprouts from gemmae

During the long winter season here in New York, a horticulturalist like myself must spend the winter in search of something to occupy their time while a great portion of our plants are at rest. For me, one such winter hobby has been the cultivation of pygmy sundew gemmae.

Pygmy sundews, a particular division of the Drosera genus, are marvelously diminutive and beautiful plants native to the southwestern region of Australia as well as in some parts of Tasmania and New Zealand. The largest species within the region rarely exceeding one inch in diameter, these tiny rosetted carnivorous plants are known not only for their intricate shimmering carnivorous leaves, unique method of asexual reproduction, and perhaps most importantly, their colorful and stunning flowers (which often exceed the size of the entire plant). 

These plants, which make up just over 20% of the species within the Drosera genus (there being about 50 pygmies total), are delightfully variable in coloration of foliage and of flower, as well as are fairly manageable to grow in an indoor environment, making them a perfect candidate for a dreary time of year. 

Perhaps, however, most fascinating about these wonderful organisms is their unique means of asexual reproduction; miniscule plantlets produced each autumn called gemmae. Nestled at the top of each species of pygmy sundew (granted they are mature in age), these tiny genetic copies of the parent plant are meant to be triggered by falling raindrops during the winter season in Australia and launched up to several feet from the plant, where they then rapidly grow into all new replicas of the parent plant, a method of reproduction with far greater success and speed than the usual seed-growing method. These gemmae, which come in various shapes and sizes based on the specific species, are modified detachable leaflets connected to a small bud, a means of reproduction incredibly uncommon in Angiosperms, limited to pygmy sundews and several varieties of butterwort (Pinguicula). Otherwise, gemmae production is a trait typical to the moss phylum (Bryophyta) and the liverworts phylum (Marchantiophyta), thereby adding to the wonderful peculiarity of pygmy sundews. 

Recently, I acquired my first ever pygmy sundews (which I purchased in the form of gemmae), and have since grown inside my modified “Ikea” cabinet greenhouse, and I must say I have rarely been so delighted by the ease of growth and precise detail within such minute organisms! Hoping to take advantage of the reasonable pricing of gemmae and the ease of containment (considering their size,) I obtained a large number of species, as well as one hybrid:

• Drosera australis

• Drosera citrina 

• Drosera lasiantha

• Drosera micrantha

• Drosera omissa x pulchella

• Drosera oreopodion

• Drosera pulchella “Pink-Maroon” 

• Drosera pycnoblasta 

• Drosera roseana

• Drosera swelliae

• Drosera trichocaulis

I cannot over-recommend growing these magnificent plants, and I would now like to share some care suggestions on how best to care for them (and especially on how to grow them from gemmae). 

Soil - Though there is always some variation in precise soil preferences, generally speaking, pygmy Drosera thrive in a well draining soil mixture composed of three to four parts sphagnum peat and one part horticultural sand or perlite. As for potting these plants, I suggest a container with a depth of at least three inches, as pygmy Drosera tend to produce a tap root usually reaching around two inches in length. Additionally, when it comes to growing gemmae in this soil, I recommend covering the soil surface with a very fine layer of pure sphagnum peat as to create a soil surface free of heavy granular substrate, as it poses certain challenges for the growth of such small plants.  

Water - When it comes to watering any carnivorous plant, one must be sure to utilize water free of any minerals or nutrients, for instance; distilled water, reverse-osmosis water, or rainwater. There are no exceptions for pygmy Drosera. Considering the fact that most carnivorous plant species have evolved as a result of need for nutrients in an area bereft of the basic substances necessary for plant growth, it is crucial that one does not expose these organisms to the whims of tap water. It is typically advisable to place pygmy Drosera pots in a tray containing between one-half inch and one inch of water, though when pygmy Drosera are young plants (such as recently sprouted gemmae) I suggest supplementing this watering method with gentle top-watering with a misting bottle to ensure the plants receive ample water despite the fact that their tap roots have not fully developed.

Light - For pygmy Drosera, lighting is perhaps the most challenging factor when it comes to indoor growth. These sundews tend to require very high light levels in order to assure their health considering their very warm and bright habitat. I personally keep my pygmy Drosera under a strong grow light as well as near a window, though either one alone should suffice (granted that the window is South facing and receives frequent, bright light). Unlike some other indoor-growing carnivorous plants, pygmy Drosera do require certain lighting cues in order to dictate their seasonal growth patterns. In the winter months, it is advisable that they receive around ten hours of light daily during the winter months and progressively more during the summer, reaching around fifteen before slowly decreasing again in the autumn. If possible, it is best to keep these plants outdoors during the warmer seasons, as no matter the strength of the grow light, it cannot hope to outcompete the sun, though if this is impossible, year-round indoor growth is certainly manageable.

Temperature - In their natural environment, pygmy Drosera endure a significant range of temperatures, from just above freezing to around 100 degrees (Fahrenheit), and it is best to allow for a slight drop of temperatures in the winter as well as a slight increase during the summer, though other factors (namely light) are far more significant.

Of the numerous species of pygmy Drosera I’ve cultivated from gemmae over the past months, I have found a few to be especially easy and rewarding to grow. If I could recommend any of the aforementioned species to a new grower, I would suggest the following:

• Drosera micrantha - This lovely ruby-like species of pygmy Drosera is no less than a miniscule wonder of nature. Reaching a size rarely surpassing half of an inch in diameter, these glittering, robustly red colored sundews not only grow quickly and with general ease of care, but develop a fairly unique stature for such a plant, growing taller with age, rather than simply remaining the height of the original rosette. Furthermore, this species possesses stunning little white flowers which contrast beautifully with the crimson of the foliage, which by the way, successfully catches all manner of small insects (usually fungus gnats in my care). 

• Drosera swelliae - Giving true meaning to the name of these sundews, this species is truly a miniature sundew in all senses besides its stunning orange flowers, which rather than follow the size of the plant, reach far upward and spread often well over an inch in diameter, luring in potential pollinators far more effectively that proportionally sized flowers. In addition to this fascinating juxtaposition between this plant’s compactness and its natural flair for drama, it is surprisingly vigorous in its growth, and has been one of the most quickly rewarding of all the species I’ve taken to growing. 

• Drosera roseana -  Similarly to Drosera micrantha, this wonderful feat of nature not only provides the usual incredible traits of pygmy Drosera, but compliments those traits with its unique red coloration along its insect-catching tentacles, which seem to glitter with special radiance, a development likely taken on in hopes to lure in prey to supplement its rather underwhelming yield of resources from the soil. Furthermore, this species possesses magnificently dainty flowers bearing a white/light pink coloration sure to bring joy to any viewer.

Though my journey growing these remarkable plants has only recently begun, I am confident in recommending these truly extraordinary species to anyone interested in growing something unusual and exciting. I will be sure to keep all readers updated on the journey of these awe-inspiring creatures over the next year as they continue to mature into full size specimens and eventually make their transition to my humble greenhouse this spring. Thank you so much for reading, please reach out to me with any questions or comments regarding this article and my knowledge on the cultivation of these plants, I am glad to hear from anyone! In the meantime, please consider joining me in the wonderful world of pygmy sundew cultivation and never forget to keep growing!