Drosera venusta

Drosera venusta, sometimes referred to as the Elegant Sundew, is a very impressive-looking specimen. Its large size, orange-red coloration, and broad leaves make it one of my personal favorites. Drosera venusta is a rosetted sundew that originates from the subtropical climate of South Africa. Some sources consider Drosera venusta synonymous with Drosera natalensis, although I think they should be considered seperately. As a vigorous and easy-growing sundew, Drosera venusta makes a great plant for the beginner to expert sundew enthusiast. 
Drosera venusta "coccicaulis" Elegant Sundew

Drosera venusta 6 months old Elegant Sundew

Drosera_venusta_Coccicaulis_leaf_thumb       

Drosera venusta coccicaulis- The elegant sundew growing orange red leaves. Overhead photo　

Drosera venusta flower

Drosera venusta seeds Elegant sundew seed

Drosera venusta coccicaulis Elegant Sundew abnormal flower stalk large leaf deformation
Media: 1:1 peat: sand (silica) is best. Small amounts of perlite can be added as well. I have also seen Drosra venusta grown successfully in 100% dead or living long-fibered sphagnum moss. Make sure to rinse your media before using it. 

Media moisture: try to always keep the media moist. Drosera venusta has tolerated waterlogged soils better than most South African sundews in my experience.

Humidity: I'd recommend above 50-60%.  Try 75-85+% if you want the most dew. 

Pot height: 4 inches or taller recommended. Drosera venusta can develop a a long, branching root system. A tall pot will ensure that the plant will never be effected by root rot. 

Trapping speed: moderate. Leaves will bend noticeably around food within a few hours. 

Feeding: Try to feed once every 2-4 weeks for rapid, robust growth and flower production. See feeding page.  Feeding encourages flowering. If fed while flowering, the plant will start producing large leaves right away.

Food size: medium to small.

Plant dimensions: D. venusta can get up to 3 inches across. The plant in the first picture has 1.5 inch leaves. Leaves can also grow a half inch+ wide. It tends to form a "skirt" of old growth over time as it increases in height.

Temperature: not picky. Has grown well for me in the temp range of 60-90 degrees F.
Give it subtropical conditions.

Lighting/Photoperiod: I grow mine under  T-8 lights with a 16-hour photoperiod. They will turn orange-red under intense lighting.

Dormancy requirements: None required. Can be grown year-round if grown indoors during the cold months. Will die down and come back from the roots if you subject it to freezing conditions. I have noticed that my Drosera venusta "Coccicaulis" weakens considerably after flowering, sometimes curling horizontally to the soil. I end up cutting it down to the roots, and taking a stem cutting, producing many more sundews when the roots shoot up new plants. 

Flowers: Drosera venusta produces huge flower stalks with beautiful, compact pink flowers (see picture to the left). Try self-pollination for better seed-set. Avoid hot temps during this time. Each flower will produce many seeds elongated, resembling those of D. binata.  

Propagation Techniques

Seed: easy. no cold stratification required. Can be grown to flowering maturity from seed in a year if fed approx. every 2 weeks.

Leaf-cuttings: easy. water floating method works best. Place directly uner lights for the hightest success rate.

Root cuttings: Very easy! 10 plants can be produced from a 2-inch cutting (see middle picture to the left). The plants in this picture are only 6-months old (have been fed often).

Divisions: Drosera venusta may form clumps over time. Drosera venusta has no trouble dealing with repotting and root disturbance, so divisions can be taken easily.


Additional Questions or Suggestions?

Contact me at: sundewman(at)yahoo.com