Drosophyllum lusitanicum, also called the dewy pine, is one of the most unusual carnivorous plants you can grow. Unlike most carnivorous plants, it doesn't come from a bog. It's native to dry, sunny, rocky and sandy hillsides in Portugal, Spain and northern Morocco. Its long, thin leaves look a bit like pine needles, and they're covered in sparkling, sticky droplets that smell sweet, like honey. Insects come in for the scent, get stuck, and the plant digests them. This guide covers how that works and how to grow one, in plain language.
Quick care summary
- Light: Full sun or a strong grow light on 14–16 hours a day.
- Water: Distilled, rain or reverse osmosis (RO) water, or any water with a TDS under 100. Use the tray method, but let the tray dry out for a day before refilling.
- Soil: Equal parts peat, perlite and sand.
- Temperature: Keep it above 40°F.
- Winter: No winter rest needed.
- Repotting: Avoid it. Dewy pines really don't like having their roots disturbed.
- Fertilizer: Optional. A diluted MaxSea foliar spray every other week or so works well.
How the dewy pine catches bugs
Dewy pines are true carnivorous plants: they catch and digest insects all on their own. Their leaves have two kinds of glands that work as a team:
- Sticky stalked glands. Little red stalks all over the leaves each hold a droplet of sticky dew. The dew gives off a sweet, honey-like scent that draws insects in. When a bug touches a droplet, the glue comes off onto it, and as it struggles it picks up more and more until it's stuck.
- Digestive glands. Tiny flat glands sitting right on the leaf surface release digestive enzymes that break the bug down, and the leaf absorbs the nutrients.
Unlike sundews, the leaves don't move or curl around their catch. They work like flypaper. Dewy pines look a lot like Byblis, and they trap the same flypaper way. Their closest relatives are actually the sundews and other carnivorous plants like Nepenthes. The dewy pine is the only species in its plant family.
Light
Dewy pines like full sun. Outdoors, give them a sunny spot. Indoors, use a strong grow light. A windowsill alone is usually too dim.
Growing dewy pines under grow lights
Run your grow light about 14–16 hours a day, and keep it fairly close to the plant. Which light should you get? For most people, I suggest Barrina T8 shelf lights or Sansi grow lights. They're affordable and give plenty of light for a shelf of plants. Bigger brands like Mars Hydro and Spider Farmer work too, but they're way more powerful than most home growers need, so they're usually a waste of money unless you're lighting a large area. For more detail, see our guide to lighting for carnivorous plants.
Water: the wet-dry tray method
Tap water and bottled drinking water contain minerals that build up and harm these plants. Use only:
- Distilled water (cheap at most grocery stores)
- Rainwater
- Reverse osmosis (RO) water
Any water with a TDS reading under 100 is fine too.
Dewy pines come from dry places, so don't keep them sitting in water all the time like a bog plant. Use this tray routine:
- Set the pot in a tray of water.
- Let the water dry up.
- Leave the tray dry for a day.
- Refill it, and repeat.
Soil
Use equal parts peat, perlite and sand. The mix drains fast, which dewy pines love. Never use regular potting soil or garden soil.
Repotting: avoid it
Dewy pines are famous for hating root disturbance, and repotting can easily kill them. The good news: they're usually grown and shipped in peat pots. When yours arrives, you can plant the whole peat pot, pot and all, into its new container or soil without ever touching the roots. The roots grow right through the peat pot, so you never really need to repot.
Fertilizer
Your dewy pine gets most of what it needs from light and the bugs it catches. If you want to fertilize, a foliar spray of MaxSea 16-16-16 works well, diluted to 1/4–1/2 strength and sprayed every other week or so. Get a small amount of MaxSea in our shop, or a full-size bag on Amazon.
Temperature
Keep dewy pines above 40°F.
Winter
Dewy pines don't need a winter rest. Keep giving them plenty of light and stick to the same watering routine all year.
Ordering in the cold months? Add a shipping heat pack to help protect your plant in transit.
Common problems
Why doesn't my dewy pine have much dew?
Usually not enough light. Move it into more sun or closer to its grow light.
Why is my dewy pine wilting or turning brown at the base?
Usually the soil is staying too wet. Make sure the tray dries up and stays dry for a day before you refill it, and check that the water is pure and it's staying above 40°F.
Why did my dewy pine decline after repotting?
Root disturbance is hard on dewy pines. Leave it in a bright spot on its normal watering routine and avoid moving it again. Next time, plant the whole peat pot so the roots never get disturbed.
Similar plants
If you like dewy pines, check out our sundews and Byblis, two other sticky flypaper-style carnivorous plants. See the sundew care guide and Byblis care guide for more.
Every plant ships potted and ready to grow. During cold months, add a shipping heat pack to help protect your plant in transit.
Dewy pine care FAQ
Is the dewy pine carnivorous?
Yes. Sticky stalked glands catch insects with sweet-smelling dew, and separate digestive glands on the leaf break them down so the plant can absorb the nutrients.
Is the dewy pine a sundew?
No, but it's related. It's the only species in its own plant family, and its closest relatives include the sundews.
Can the dewy pine sit in water all the time?
No. Let the tray dry up, leave it dry for a day, then refill.
Should I repot my dewy pine?
No need. Dewy pines usually come in a peat pot, so you can plant the whole peat pot without disturbing the roots.
How long do dewy pines live?
About 5 years. After that they naturally die off, so if an older plant declines, it's not your fault.
Does the dewy pine go dormant?
No. It doesn't need a winter rest.
Can I use tap water?
No. Use distilled, rain or RO water, or any water with a TDS under 100.