Roundleaf sundew is a carnivorous plant in the sundew family (Droseraceae). It is native to boggy sites across a broad swath of Asia, Europe and North America. The species epithet is a Latin compound meaning “round leaf” and refers to the leaf shape. The roundleaf sundew is hardy and trouble-free. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Like all carnivorous plants, it grows best in a nutrient-free medium that is kept moist with distilled water or rainwater. Do not fertilize the plant; it will get all the nutrients it needs from the insects it traps. This was the species of sundew studied extensively by Charles Darwin and reported in his book Insectivorous Plants (1875). This 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, but allow the plant to go dormant in winter. 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 pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 0 ft. 10 in. | Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Prostrate
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Orbicular
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Small basal rosette of reddish, sticky round leaves ¾ inch across. The upper surfaces are covered with reddish, glandular hairs, each tipped with a clear, sticky secretion.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small white to pinkish flowers occur at the end of a long, leafless stem rising above the leaf rosette. The flowers are about ¼ inch wide, with five petals and five tiny sepals. The flowers are borne in a one-sided scorpioid cyme. Blooms from June to September.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Fruit is a capsule with many small, light brown seeds. Displays from July to October
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Leaf stalks are green or red and flat, ½ to 2 inches long, and covered with fine hairs. The flowering stem is tightly curled and unfurls as the flowers bloom.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Northern Hemisphere
Distribution
AK , AL , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MS , MT , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV Canada: BC