Drosera filiformis

Drosera filiformis, common name the thread-leaved sundew, is a North American sundew which is hardy in our climate. It is known as a temperate sundew, i.e. suitable to our conditions.

Drosera filiformis has long, upright tentacles, which are sticky. Drosera filiformis is found on the Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Nova Scotia along with a few populations in the Florida panhandle

Temperate sundews grow in North America and Europe. They are hardy in our UK climate. Native to the UK are Drosera anglica (the English sundew), Drosera rotundifolia (the round-leaved sundew) and Drosera intermedia (the oblong leaved sundew). Both intermedia and rotundifolia are found in the US, as is Drosera filiformis (the threadleaf sundew)

These sundews require a winter dormancy to survive the winter, when they die back to a resting bud (hibernacula). They need a cold winter.

The native sundews are sun lovers, give them as much sun as possible, preferably outside. They are slow growing, but will produce a carpet of sundews over time.

Drosera filiformis, the North American sundew, will do better in the greenhouse or polytunnel in winter.

Drosera or sundews are a large category of carnivorous plants. To date there are more than 260 different varieties of sundews. They can be found worldwide, on all continents. They stand out with their shiny droplets (nectar), which are used to “glue” their prey to them. We sell many different varieties, some more difficult than others, including three native sundews (Drosera anglica, Drosera intermedia and Drosera rotundofolia).  Some are hardy, including the native sundews, others need protection from the frost, and do well on sunny windowsills, heated greenhouse or conservatory. Some are dormant in summer, to protect themselves from drying out