The petiolaris complex is a group of tropical sundews from northern Australia. Many are covered in fine silvery hairs, which gives them a soft, woolly look, and they sparkle with sticky dew. They're less common than Cape sundews, but several are easy once you know what they like.
Petiolaris sundews we grow
- Drosera paradoxa: one of the easiest in the group. No extra humidity needed.
- Drosera petiolaris: also among the easiest. No extra humidity needed.
- Drosera darwinensis: appreciates a little humidity.
- Drosera ordensis: a woolly species that appreciates a little humidity.
- Drosera broomensis: appreciates a little humidity.
- Drosera fulva: appreciates a little humidity.
- Drosera falconeri: paddle-shaped leaves; appreciates a little humidity.
New to the group? Start with paradoxa or petiolaris.
Temperature: keep them warm
Unlike temperate sundews, petiolaris sundews are tropical and like warmth all year. A warm room suits them, and they don't go dormant in winter. Keep them away from cold windows and drafts, and never let them get colder than 40°F. If you're ordering in cold weather, add a shipping heat pack. More on ranges in What Temperature Range for Carnivorous Plants.
Light
Give them bright light, like a sunny window or a grow light. Good light keeps the rosettes compact and brings out color and dew. See the lighting guide.
Water
Use only distilled, rain or RO water with TDS under 100. Sit the pot in a tray of water so the soil stays wet. Our watering guide explains the tray method.
Soil
Petiolaris sundews prefer a grittier, faster-draining mix than most sundews. Our Carnivorous Plant Soil Mix with Sand (equal parts peat, perlite and sand) is made for them. See the soil guide for more.
A little humidity, only for some
D. paradoxa and D. petiolaris don't need extra humidity. The others in the group (darwinensis, ordensis, broomensis, fulva, falconeri) appreciate a little. Normal indoor conditions with the tray method are a fine starting point, so there's no need for a sealed terrarium.
Common problems
- Little or no dew: usually low light or mineral-heavy water.
- Stretched, pale leaves: more light needed.
- Slow growth in a cool room: they want more warmth.
Browse all Drosera (sundews), or read the general Sundew Care Guide.