Carnivorous Drosera Aliciae Sundew

Drosera aliciae – Alice Sundew

A beautiful compact sundew producing neat rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves covered in glistening, jewel-like droplets designed to attract and capture insect prey.

Drosera aliciae, commonly known as the Alice Sundew, is an attractive carnivorous plant native to South Africa. Its compact size, colourful foliage and relatively straightforward care make it an excellent choice for both beginners and established carnivorous plant collections.

The plant forms a dense rosette of broad, wedge-shaped leaves. Each leaf is covered with numerous fine red tentacles tipped with droplets of sticky mucilage, giving the plant its characteristic sparkling appearance.

These droplets aren't water or dew. They are produced by the plant specifically to help capture small insects.

When an insect lands on a leaf it becomes caught by the sticky tentacles. Nearby tentacles can gradually move towards the prey, increasing contact with the leaf while digestive enzymes break it down and allow the plant to absorb valuable nutrients.

Colour & Growth

When grown in strong light, Drosera aliciae can develop particularly attractive colouration.

Plants may range from predominantly fresh green through bronze and pink to rich red, while the numerous glistening mucilage droplets make healthy plants appear almost covered in tiny crystals.

Lower-light plants generally remain greener, while stronger light encourages more intense red colouration.

Mature plants remain relatively compact but can eventually form attractive clusters as additional growing points develop.

Growing Information

Light: Bright light to full sun. Strong light encourages compact growth, rich red colouration and good production of the characteristic sticky "dew".

Water: Keep permanently moist. Stand the pot in approximately 1–2cm of rainwater, distilled water or reverse-osmosis water. Avoid hard tap water.

Compost: Grow in nutrient-poor carnivorous plant compost. Never use ordinary multipurpose compost, enriched compost or conventional fertiliser.

Feeding: Additional feeding is normally unnecessary. The plant will readily capture small flies and other insects when available. Never feed meat or other human food to the plant.

Dormancy: Unlike Venus flytraps and North American Sarracenia, Drosera aliciae does not require a cold winter dormancy. Growth may slow during cooler or darker periods, but plants should not be deliberately subjected to the same cold winter treatment as temperate carnivorous plants.

Temperature: Drosera aliciae appreciates mild to warm growing conditions. It is well suited to a bright greenhouse, conservatory or sunny windowsill, provided temperatures and light levels are appropriate.

Frost: Protect from frost. This South African species should not be treated as a hardy outdoor sundew in the UK.

Plant Supplied

You will receive an established Drosera aliciae of the type shown and as described on the purchase option.

As these are living plants, size, leaf number, colour and the amount of visible "dew" will naturally vary according to season and growing conditions.

Plants can temporarily lose some of their sticky droplets during transport or following a change in conditions. Healthy new growth should begin producing fresh mucilage once the plant has settled into suitable light and humidity.

With appropriate conditions, Drosera aliciae develops into a wonderfully symmetrical rosette covered with glistening insect-catching leaves.

Identification Note

These plants are offered as Drosera aliciae, commonly known as the Alice Sundew.

Individual plants can naturally vary in size and colour, particularly according to light intensity and growing conditions.

Botanical name: Drosera aliciae
Common name: Alice Sundew
Plant type: Carnivorous perennial
Origin: South Africa
Growth habit: Compact rosette
Trap type: Sticky flypaper trap
Colour: Green, bronze to red
Dormancy: No cold winter dormancy required
Difficulty: Easy
Water: Rainwater / RO / distilled
Position: Bright light / sun
Frost hardy: No
Suitable for beginners: Yes