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Drosera prolifera is a fascinating tropical sundew admired for its broad, rounded leaves covered in sticky, glistening tentacles used to trap small insects. Its glossy foliage and delicate red glandular hairs give the plant a jewel-like appearance, making it a highly attractive choice for terrariums, carnivorous plant collections, and humid tropical displays.
Native to the rainforests of north-eastern Queensland, Australia, this species naturally grows in cool, shaded, humid environments. Unlike many sun-loving sundews, Drosera prolifera prefers filtered light, consistently high humidity, and protection from intense heat and harsh direct sunlight. It gradually produces new plants from flower stalks and spreading growth, allowing established specimens to form attractive colonies.
This species is best suited to growers who can provide stable, humid conditions and very pure water. It should be cultivated in nutrient-poor carnivorous plant media and must never be planted in conventional potting soil or fertilised like ordinary houseplants. When given the correct conditions, it is a rewarding and unusual species with a distinctive tropical appearance.
Plant Type: Tropical Carnivorous Plant
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Placement: Terrarium, Carnivorous Plant Display, or Humid Indoor Setup
Height: Approximately 5–15 cm
Lighting Requirements: Low to Medium Filtered Light
Humidity Requirements: High humidity
Propagation: Plantlets, leaf cuttings, and flower-stalk plantlets
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Drosera prolifera |
| Common Name | Proliferous Sundew |
| Family | Droseraceae |
| Origin | North-Eastern Queensland, Australia |
| Plant Type | Tropical Carnivorous Plant |
| Recommended Placement | Terrarium or Humid Carnivorous Plant Display |
| Height | Approximately 5–15 cm |
| Growth Rate | Slow to Moderate |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Lighting | Low to Medium Filtered Light |
| Temperature | Approximately 18–26°C |
| Humidity | High, ideally 70% or above |
| Water Requirement | Rainwater, reverse-osmosis water, or distilled water |
| Propagation | Plantlets, leaf cuttings, and flower-stalk plantlets |
| Product Form | Tissue Culture Cup |
This Horizon plant is supplied as an in-vitro tissue culture plant grown under controlled laboratory conditions. Tissue culture plants are supplied clean and free from unwanted pests, making them an excellent choice for terrariums and specialist carnivorous plant collections.
Before planting, carefully remove the plant from the tissue culture cup and thoroughly rinse away all nutrient gel using clean rainwater, reverse-osmosis water, or distilled water. Gently separate individual plantlets where possible, taking care not to damage the fine roots or young growing points.
Plant into a nutrient-poor carnivorous plant substrate such as long-fibre sphagnum moss or a suitable sphagnum and perlite mixture. Do not use ordinary potting soil, compost, or nutrient-rich aquarium substrate, as excess minerals and fertiliser can damage the roots.
Use only very low-mineral water. Tap water should be avoided unless it is known to have an extremely low dissolved mineral content. Rainwater, reverse-osmosis water, or distilled water is preferred.
Keep the growing medium consistently moist but not deeply flooded. A shallow water tray may be used, but the crown should remain above the water level. High humidity is strongly beneficial, especially during the transition from tissue culture to normal growing conditions.
Drosera prolifera prefers filtered light and should be protected from intense direct sunlight. Very strong light combined with high temperatures may stress or scorch the foliage. Bright indirect light or moderate artificial terrarium lighting generally produces better results.
Avoid conventional fertilisers and root tabs. The plant obtains additional nutrients by trapping small insects with the sticky glands on its leaves. Feeding is not essential in a terrarium where small natural prey is occasionally available.
Some tissue culture leaves may temporarily deteriorate while the plant acclimates to lower humidity and non-sterile conditions. Maintain stable humidity, pure water, and moderate lighting while new adapted growth develops.
This is not an aquatic aquarium plant and should not be kept permanently submerged. It is best suited to humid terrariums, carnivorous plant displays, and paludarium areas above the waterline.
Please note: Final leaf size, colour, tentacle intensity, and growth form depend on lighting, humidity, temperature, water quality, and overall growing conditions. As this is a living plant, its size, number of leaves, and appearance may vary slightly from the photographs.
