Threadleaf sundew is a carnivorous herbaceous perennial native to the Atlantic Seaboard, from Connecticut to Florida. It is a member of the sundew family (Droseraceae). The species epithet is a Latin compound meaning “having a threadlike form” and refers to the distinctive shape of the leaf. Our other native sundews have spoon-shaped leaves. Plant in full sun with a planting mix of whole fiber sphagnum moss or a mix of equal parts peat moss and coarse vermiculite or sharp sand. The mix should be low in nutrients, and no fertilizer is necessary. The plant will get all the nutrients from digested prey. The plants require constant moisture and a winter dormancy for longevity. Always use distilled water or rainwater to irrigate these plants. Threadleaf sundew is easy to cultivate and will form clumps that can be divided while dormant. It has lavender-rose flowers on a leafless stalk rising from erect, thread-like, sticky, basal leaves that unroll in spirals, like fern fiddleheads. Insects trapped in the sticky hairs are digested by plant enzymes, and the nutrients are absorbed by the plant. The populations of this species in Florida have been recognized as the Florida threadleaf sundew (Drosera filiformis var. floridana), which is distinguished by having red or orange leaves. Threadleaf sundew can be grown outside in bog gardens, troughs or containers. Grow it in a native garden, rain garden or children’s garden. This species can also be grown indoors. Place the plant in a small pot and set the pot in a tray of distilled or rainwater. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Drosera .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 2 in.
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Usually 4 to 8 leaves studded with dozens of slender, crimson or green-tipped filaments. Glands secrete a tiny droplet of clear mucilaginous substance on the ends of tiny tentacles that trap insects. Traps unfold 4 to 6 days after trapping an insect and die after 2 to 4 trappings.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Star
Flower detail
White, pink, or dark pink flowers on 6- to 12-inche stalk, June, above a rosette of basal leaves; open for several hours in the morning.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit detail
Displays in August
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Nova Scotia to Eastern U.S.A
Distribution
CT , DE , MA , MD , NC , NJ , NY , PA , RI Canada: NS
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Pond
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Native Garden; Rain Garden; Water Garden