Drosera aliciae (Alice’s Sundew)

Drosera aliciae (Alice’s Sundew) offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of carnivorous plants, making it a standout addition to any plant collection, particularly for those interested in the more unusual members of the plant kingdom

Drosera aliciae – Alice’s Sundew: An In-depth Look

Drosera aliciae, commonly known as Alice’s Sundew, is a captivating carnivorous plant known for its vibrant color and unique insect-trapping mechanism. It is noted for its rosette of spade-shaped leaves covered with tiny, glandular tentacles. These tentacles secrete a sticky, dew-like substance that glistens in sunlight to attract and trap insects. Once an insect is ensnared, the leaves slowly curl around the prey to enhance digestion.

Native: This species is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it thrives in moist, sandy soils. It belongs to the sundew family (Droseraceae), a family of carnivorous flowering plants comprising approximately 180 species, including the popular Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula).

Plant Type and Habit: Drosera aliciae is a perennial carnivorous plant that grows in a low, compact rosette form.

Size: The plant typically grows to about 2 to 4 inches in height and can spread out to around the same in diameter, depending on environmental conditions and age.

Flowers: Drosera aliciae produces slender flower stalks, 16 inches tall (40 cm) bearing 2-12 small, purple flowers that are aesthetically pleasing against the green and red hues of the leaves. The blooming period for Alice’s Sundew occurs from December to January in its native habitat. After pollination, the plant produces tiny, capsule-like fruits that release numerous small seeds, enabling propagation.

Foliage: Alice’s Sundew (Drosera aliciae) features distinctive foliage that plays a crucial role in its survival and appeal. Each leaf is spade-shaped, about 1 inch long (2.5 cm), and forms a tight rosette. The bright green leaves are covered in tiny, red glandular hairs called tentacles. These tentacles exude a sticky, dew-like substance that glistens in the light, attracting unsuspecting insects.

The sticky droplets are not only mesmerizing to look at but also deadly for prey. When an insect contacts a leaf, it becomes trapped by the sticky mucilage. The leaf slowly curls inward in response, wrapping the insect more securely and beginning the digestion process. This movement allows the plant to maximize contact with the prey, facilitating efficient digestion.

The color contrast between the red tentacles and the green leaf surface enhances the visual allure of the plant, making Drosera aliciae not only a potent predator but also a visually striking specimen. The vivid red increases under brighter light conditions, adding to its decorative appeal.

Award: Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Hardiness: Alice’s Sundew is hardy to USDA zones 9-11. In cooler climates, it is often grown as a houseplant or in a greenhouse where conditions can be controlled.

Uses: Often grown as an ornamental plant in carnivorous plant collections, Drosera aliciae is also useful in greenhouses and gardens for controlling insect populations naturally.

Toxicity: It is not toxic to humans or pets, making it safe to grow in home gardens where children and animals are present.

Invasiveness: Drosera aliciae is not considered invasive.

Benefits: The primary benefits of growing Drosera aliciae include its ability to control insects naturally and its visual appeal as a unique and exotic ornamental plant.

Alice’s Sundew: How to Grow and Care

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light or partial sun. Adequate sunlight is crucial for the development of the plant’s vibrant colors and the effectiveness of its sticky traps. If natural sunlight is insufficient, especially in winter, supplement with artificial grow lights designed for plants.

Soil: Requires nutrient-poor, acidic soil. A mix of sphagnum peat moss and perlite or sand (in a 1:1 ratio) is ideal. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage. While the plant needs moist soil, it should never be waterlogged.

Water: Use distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water, as tap water can contain minerals harmful to the plant. Keep the soil consistently moist. Drosera aliciae thrives in a humid environment, so maintaining soil moisture is crucial.

Temperature: Best grown in temperatures between 50°F and 85°F (10°C to 29°C). Protect from extreme temperatures.

Humidity: High humidity is ideal. If your indoor environment is dry, consider using a humidity tray or a small humidifier to maintain high humidity levels.

Fertilizer: Avoid fertilizing the soil as conventional plant fertilizers can harm the plant. As a carnivorous plant, Drosera aliciae derives much of its nutrition from the insects it captures. If grown indoors where insects are scarce, you can occasionally feed it small insects like fruit flies.

Pruning: Produces delicate pink flowers on long stalks. Flowering can drain the plant’s resources; you may choose to snip off flower stalks to conserve energy for leaf development.

Propagation: Can be propagated from seeds or by leaf cuttings. Leaf cuttings placed on moist sphagnum peat can develop into new plants.

Alice’s Sundew: Common Problems

Alice’s Sundew is a relatively robust carnivorous plant, but like all plants, it can experience some issues, particularly when its specific growing conditions are not met.

Insufficient Light

• Symptoms: Lack of dew production on the tentacles, poor coloration, and slow growth.
• Solution: Ensure the plant receives adequate light, either from direct sunlight (with some shade protection during the hottest part of the day) or from artificial grow lights.

Poor Water Quality

• Symptoms: Brown or blackened tips on the leaves, overall decline in health.
• Solution: Use only distilled, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water for watering. Tap water often contains minerals and chemicals that can accumulate in the soil and harm the plant.

Incorrect Soil Composition

• Symptoms: Poor growth, waterlogging, or dry soil.
• Solution: Make sure the soil is a proper mix for carnivorous plants—usually a combination of sphagnum peat moss and perlite or sand. This ensures good drainage and acidity.

Overwatering

• Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, root rot, and general lethargy.
• Solution: Although Drosera aliciae needs moist soil, ensure it is not waterlogged. Provide adequate drainage in the pot, and consider using the tray method to allow the plant to take up water as needed.

5. Low Humidity

• Symptoms: Tentacles are dry, lacking in stickiness, and the plant fails to trap insects.
• Solution: Increase humidity around the plant. This can be achieved through daily misting, using a humidity tray, or placing the plant in a more enclosed environment like a terrarium.

Pests

• Common Pests: Aphids and spider mites can attack the plant, especially under indoor conditions.
• Solution: Check regularly for pests, especially under the leaves and around the sticky tentacles. Treat with a diluted pesticide or remove pests by hand. Do not use a soap-based insecticide.

Nutrient Overload

• Symptoms: Buildup of salts or minerals on the soil surface, poor plant health.
• Solution: Avoid fertilizing and flush the soil occasionally with distilled water to remove any accumulated salts from tap water or accidental fertilizer exposure.

Flowering Exhaustion

• Symptoms: The plant appears weakened or stressed during or after flowering.
• Solution: Drosera aliciae can expend a lot of energy on flowering. If your plant seems stressed, consider snipping the flower stalks early to conserve energy for leaf development.