Which is easier to care for, Drosera capensis or Drosera spatulata?

Drosera capensis: You want the fastest results and the most forgiving sundew there is. Drosera spatulata: You want a neat, compact rosette that will not take over the shelf

Plant Comparison

Drosera Capensis vs Spatulata

These are the two sundews almost every carnivorous plant grower starts with, and they are a study in trade-offs. Capensis is the fastest, most forgiving, and frankly the hardest to stop — it self-seeds into every pot nearby. Spatulata is smaller, neater, and stays where you put it, but grows more slowly and shows stress sooner. Both catch fungus gnats and fruit flies without any effort from you.

Drosera capensis

Fast-growing sundew with long strap-like leaves covered in sticky red tentacles. The most forgiving carnivorous plant sold, and prone to self-seeding everywhere.

Drosera spatulata

Compact sundew forming a tight rosette of spoon-shaped leaves. Slower and smaller than capensis, with a neater, more controlled growth habit.

Photo: Havardtl / CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryDrosera capensisDrosera spatulata

📏 Mature sizeLeaves to 15–20 cm, upright and sprawlingRosette 3–8 cm — compact and tidy

📈 Growth rate★Fast — flowers within months from seedSlower, steadier growth

🌱 SpreadingSelf-seeds aggressively into nearby pots★Stays where planted; offsets modestly

💧 WateringTray method, pure water, never dry outSame — tray method, pure water only

💡 Light needsBright light or strong grow light for red colourBright light; colours up well too

🦟 Prey caught★Excellent — fungus gnats, fruit flies, gnatsGood, but smaller leaves catch less volume

😴 DormancyNone needed — grows year-round indoorsNone needed — grows year-round indoors

🌡️ Temperature★10–35°C — very tolerant10–32°C — slightly less heat tolerant

🎯 Difficulty★Beginner — the easiest carnivorous plantBeginner

🛒 Availability★Very common and cheapCommon, slightly less so

Choose Drosera capensis if…

✓You want the fastest results and the most forgiving sundew there is
✓You have a fruit fly or fungus gnat problem near a windowsill
✓You don't mind seedlings appearing in nearby pots
✓This is your first carnivorous plant

Choose Drosera spatulata if…

✓You want a neat, compact rosette that will not take over the shelf
✓You prefer a plant that stays exactly the size you bought it
✓You want a tidier look for a terrarium or small tray
✓You already grow capensis and want something that behaves differently

What They Have in Common

•Both are sundews grown in the tray method — sitting permanently in pure water
•Both need rainwater, distilled water, or reverse-osmosis water — tap water kills them
•Both catch prey passively; feeding by hand is unnecessary indoors
•Both need bright light to develop strong red tentacle colour

The Verdict

Capensis is the better first sundew — faster, tougher, and almost impossible to kill by neglect, though be ready for volunteer seedlings in every pot nearby. Choose spatulata if you specifically want a compact, well-behaved rosette that stays put, and accept a slightly slower pace of growth in return.

🪰 Drosera capensis

Drosera capensis

🥄 Drosera spatulata

Drosera spatulata

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