Sundew Care In Water – The Aquarist’S Guide To Thriving Carnivorous

Written ByHoward Parker

Have you ever stared at your beautiful aquarium and thought, “It’s missing something… exotic?” You’ve mastered fish and plants, but you’re craving a unique, living element that truly stands out. What if you could add a sparkling, alien-like carnivorous plant that not only looks stunning but also helps control pesky gnats around your setup?

It might sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but it’s entirely possible. Growing sundews with their roots in water creates a breathtaking display that merges the worlds of aquascaping and carnivorous plants. This is a project that will elevate your hobby and make your aquarium a true conversation starter.

Imagine delicate, tentacled leaves covered in glistening, sticky “dew,” waiting to catch an unsuspecting insect. This isn’t just a plant; it’s a living, interactive piece of art. You can achieve this jaw-dropping feature in your own home.

In this complete guide, we’ll demystify the process. You’ll learn everything you need to know about sundew care in water, from choosing the perfect species to mastering their unique needs. Let’s get started!

Why Grow Sundews in Water? Unpacking the Surprising Benefits

You might be wondering why you’d go through the trouble of adding a carnivorous plant to your aquatic world. Well, as many seasoned aquarists have discovered, the rewards are well worth it. This method offers a host of advantages for both the plant and for you.

One of the biggest draws is the natural pest control. Aquariums can sometimes attract fungus gnats or fruit flies. A healthy sundew is a master predator, and its sticky leaves are the perfect trap for these tiny airborne annoyances. This is one of the most practical benefits of sundew care in water.

Furthermore, the high-humidity environment created by an open-top aquarium or paludarium is a sundew’s paradise. These plants thrive in conditions that mimic their native bog habitats. You’re not just keeping a plant; you’re creating a micro-ecosystem where it can truly flourish. This approach is a fantastic example of sustainable sundew care in water.

And let’s not forget the aesthetics! A cluster of vibrant, dewy sundews emerging from the water’s edge adds a pop of color and an otherworldly texture that you just can’t get from typical aquatic plants. It transforms a standard aquarium into a captivating riparium (a tank that simulates a riverbank).

Choosing the Right Sundew for Your Aquatic Setup

Before you rush out to buy the first sundew you see, it’s crucial to understand that not all species are suited for this type of culture. Like fish, different sundews have different needs. Choosing the right one is the first step toward success.

We’re looking for species that love “wet feet” and high humidity and are generally forgiving for beginners. Don’t worry—the best candidates are also some of the most common and beautiful!

Best Sundew Species for Water Culture

  • Drosera capensis (Cape Sundew): This is the undisputed king for beginners. It’s incredibly resilient, adaptable, and produces beautiful dew-covered leaves. It comes in various forms (typical, ‘Alba’, ‘Red’) and will bounce back from almost any mistake. It’s the perfect starting point for your journey.
  • Drosera adelae (Lance-leaved Sundew): Hailing from the rainforests of Australia, this species adores the high humidity found around an aquarium. Its long, lance-shaped leaves create a very dramatic effect. It’s a bit more sensitive to light but rewards you with a lush, tropical look.
  • Drosera binata (Fork-leaved Sundew): If you want a true showstopper, this is it. Its leaves fork into multiple dewy branches, creating an intricate and eye-catching display. It’s a vigorous grower once established and looks fantastic cascading over the edge of a pot.

Species to Generally Avoid

While beautiful, some sundews have specific requirements that make them poor choices for a water-based setup. Tuberous and pygmy sundews, for example, have complex dormancy periods and soil needs that are difficult to manage in this context. Stick with the tropical or subtropical bog dwellers for the best results.

The Ultimate Sundew Care in Water Guide: Your Step-by-Step Setup

Alright, you’ve chosen your plant, and you’re ready to get your hands dirty. Let’s build your sundew’s new home! This section is your complete sundew care in water guide. Following these steps will ensure your plant gets the best possible start.

Essential Supplies You’ll Need

Gathering your materials beforehand makes the process smooth and enjoyable. Think of it like setting up a new tank!

  1. A Net Pot: A small plastic pot with lots of holes (usually used for hydroponics) is perfect. It allows water to reach the roots while containing the soil. A 3-inch pot is a great starting size.
  2. Growing Medium: A 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite is the gold standard. IMPORTANT: Make sure both are free of any added fertilizers, which can kill your plant. Alternatively, you can use pure Long-Fiber Sphagnum Moss.
  3. The Sundew: Your chosen plant, of course!
  4. Pure Water: This is non-negotiable. You MUST use distilled water, reverse osmosis (RO) water, or clean rainwater. We’ll cover why in the next section.

Setting Up Your Sundew’s Aquatic Home

This is the fun part! Here’s how to sundew care in water starts, from pot to placement.

  1. Prepare the Medium: Thoroughly moisten your peat/perlite mix or sphagnum moss with your pure water. It should be damp like a wrung-out sponge, not sopping wet.
  2. Pot Your Sundew: Gently fill the net pot with your prepared medium, leaving a small hole in the center. Carefully remove your sundew from its original container, gently teasing the roots, and place it in the hole. Backfill the medium around the plant, firming it just enough to hold the sundew in place without compacting it.
  3. Position in Your Tank: Now, find a spot for your new plant. The goal is to have the bottom of the net pot submerged in water, but the crown of the plant (where the new leaves emerge) well above the waterline. You can achieve this by:
    • Placing it in the back of a hang-on-back filter box.
    • Using a suction cup holder to attach the pot to the side of the tank.
    • Building up a hardscape (rocks, wood) for the pot to sit on.
  4. Use a “Water Tray”: A pro tip is to place the net pot inside a slightly larger, solid container (like a glass jar or plastic cup) that is then placed in the aquarium. This small container acts as a dedicated reservoir of pure water, protecting the sundew’s roots from the nutrient-rich aquarium water, which can be harmful to them. Simply top it off with distilled or RO water as needed.

Mastering the Big Three: Light, Water, and Food

Once your sundew is set up, its long-term health comes down to a few key factors. Getting these right is the core of sundew care in water best practices and will lead to a vibrant, sticky, and happy plant.

Lighting: The Secret to Sticky Dew

Sundews are sun-worshippers. To produce their iconic, insect-trapping dew, they need a lot of bright light. A sunny windowsill is often not enough.

A strong, full-spectrum LED aquarium or grow light is your best bet. Position the light directly above the plant and run it for 12-16 hours per day. You’ll know your sundew is happy when it has a healthy red or pink blush and is covered in glistening droplets of mucilage (the sticky stuff!). If it’s all green and looking limp, it’s begging for more light.

Water Purity is Non-Negotiable

This is the most critical rule in all of carnivorous plant care. Tap water, bottled mineral water, and even filtered drinking water contain dissolved minerals and salts that will build up in the soil and burn the sensitive roots of your sundew, eventually killing it.

You must only use water with a very low Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) count. This means sticking to:

  • Distilled Water
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water
  • Clean Rainwater

Never, ever let the nutrient-rich water from your main aquarium tank get into your sundew’s pot. This is why the separate reservoir method mentioned earlier is so effective for long-term health.

Feeding Your Carnivorous Friend

One of the best parts of having a sundew is watching it work! In most cases, it will catch plenty of food on its own, snagging any fungus gnats or fruit flies buzzing around.

If you feel it’s not catching anything, you can supplement its diet once every 2-4 weeks. A tiny pinch of crushed fish flakes or a freeze-dried bloodworm placed on one or two leaves is plenty. The leaf will slowly curl around the food to digest it. Remember, do not overfeed, and never give it human food!

Troubleshooting: Common Problems with Sundew Care in Water

Even with the best care, you might run into a hiccup or two. Don’t panic! Here are solutions to the most common problems with sundew care in water.

“My Sundew Isn’t Producing Dew!”

This is the number one issue people face. The cause is almost always one of three things:

  • Not Enough Light: This is the most likely culprit. Increase the duration or intensity of your lighting.
  • Low Humidity: While an aquarium helps, if the ambient air is very dry, it can be an issue. Misting is not effective. A simple solution is a clear plastic cloche or cut-off soda bottle placed over the plant for a few days to trap humidity and encourage dew production.
  • Acclimation: If the plant is new, give it a week or two to adjust to its new environment.

“The Leaves are Turning Black.”

It’s perfectly normal for old, outer leaves to slowly turn black and die off as the plant produces new growth from the center. You can simply snip these off.

However, if new, young leaves are turning black, it’s a sign of a serious problem, likely related to water quality. Double-check that you’re using pure water and that no aquarium water is seeping into the pot.

“I’m Seeing Mold or Algae on the Moss.”

This usually indicates a lack of airflow. While sundews love humidity, stagnant air can promote mold. A small, computer-style fan pointed near (but not directly at) the setup for a few hours a day can work wonders. Introducing a colony of springtails to the pot is also a great eco-friendly sundew care in water tip, as these tiny creatures are harmless to the plant and will happily eat mold and algae.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sundew Care in Water

Can sundews live fully submerged in my aquarium?

No. Sundews are bog plants, not true aquatic plants. Their roots must be wet, but their leaves and crown must be in the air to breathe and catch insects. Submerging them will cause them to rot and die quickly.

Will my fish or shrimp be harmed by the sundew?

Absolutely not. The sundew’s sticky traps are designed for tiny insects. They pose zero threat to any of your aquatic inhabitants, even the smallest shrimp or fry. They are completely safe tankmates.

Do sundews need fertilizer?

A huge no! Fertilizer will kill a sundew even faster than tap water. They have evolved to get all their nutrients from the insects they catch. Their roots are simply not equipped to handle the chemicals in fertilizers.

How do I handle sundew dormancy in an aquarium setup?

This is a great question and another reason why choosing a tropical species like Drosera capensis or Drosera adelae is so important. These species do not require a winter dormancy period and will grow happily year-round in the stable conditions of your home aquarium.

Can I use my aquarium’s water for my sundews?

To be crystal clear: no. Your aquarium water is full of minerals, fish waste, and dissolved solids. While this is great for your aquatic plants, it is toxic to the sensitive roots of a sundew. Always use distilled, RO, or rainwater.

Go Forth and Grow!

You now have all the knowledge you need to embark on this exciting project. Combining carnivorous plants with an aquarium is a uniquely rewarding experience that adds a whole new dimension to your hobby. The key takeaways from our sundew care in water care guide are simple: pick the right species, give it intense light, and, above all, provide it with pure, mineral-free water.

Don’t be intimidated. Start with a hardy Cape Sundew, follow these steps, and watch in amazement as your fascinating new plant thrives. You’re not just adding a plant to your collection; you’re creating a living, breathing work of art.

Happy growing!

Howard Parker
Latest posts by Howard Parker (see all)