King Sundew Plant Care
Drosera regia Stephens
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Drosera regia, commonly known as the king sundew, is a carnivorous plant in the sundew genus Drosera that is endemic to a single valley in South Africa. Individual leaves can reach 70 cm (28 in) in length.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for King Sundew?
King Sundew grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the King Sundew?
King Sundew (Drosera regia) belongs to the Droseraceae family within the Drosera genus. King Sundew is native to most other Drosera species, including woody rhizomes, operculate pollen, and the lack of circinate vernation in scape growth. King Sundew is also known as Royal Sundew.
King Sundew displays a low rosette, clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . King Sundew produces small, delicate white or pink flowers on tall stalks.
What Light Does the King Sundew Need?
King Sundew thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a King Sundew?
Nutrient-poor, acidic soil with high organic matter content like sphagnum moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for King Sundew to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a King Sundew?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a King Sundew?
King Sundew can be propagated through leaf cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cape sundew plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the King Sundew Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list King Sundew, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the King Sundew?
King Sundew is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, fungus gnats. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
King Sundew is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Drosera genus — compare its care with other Drosera species on PlantoScan.
Drosera is part of the Droseraceae plant family — browse all Droseraceae genera and species.
King Sundew thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Drosera Species
Other Drosera species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Drosera regia Stephens, family Droseraceae (first published in Trans. Roy. Soc. South Africa 13: 309 (1926)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list King Sundew, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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