Staghorn Sundew (Drosera Binata)

Ease to Grow: Easy.
Dormancy: No.
Native Range: Wet Bogs of Stradbroke Island off eastern Australia.
Zones: 8-10 (7-11).

The Staghorn Sundew, Drosera binata var. multifida extrema – Staghorn, is huge, nearly the size of a basket ball when mature. Quite remarkable for a sundew! The olive colored, very dewy, forked leaves are covered with brillant red glands, giving the plant a sparkling red look in full sun. They are multi-branched with typically 8 to 12+ tips per leaf. The leaves first emerge green, but in full sun develop a maroon color. It is a robust grower and readily spreads from its roots, filling its pot. It is a great bug catcher able to trap larger flying insects. It is a sub-tropical plant and will have a nice display year round. It can tolerate a light frost, but the leaves will wilt with new ones re-emerging once conditions improve. It prefers open, sunny, boggy conditions in peaty soils. It flowers from June to September with blossoms that are white on tall, multi-flowered red scapes. D. binata var. multifida comes in two forms: Staghorn and Staghorn Pink Flower. They rarely produce viable seeds in cultivation, but are easily divided from the thick, black, hairy roots, or by leaf cuttings. The Staghorn Sundew’s large form grows well in a hanging basket or plant stand. Be wary, it will lure you, and become one of your favorite carnivorous plants. D. binata var. multifida extrema – Staghorn is apparently extinct from its native habitat. This selection comes from cuttings, and are identical to the parent. For maximum effect use multiple plants in a 6″ pot. Juvenile plants may be shipped. Multi-forking is expressed in mature 2+ year old plants.

Plants are shipped bare-root, wrapped in damp sphagnum moss. Photographs are representative of species, and not the specific plant shipped.

Height: 6″ – 16″.
Plant Type: Perennial, semi-tropical.
Soil: Lower Bog Mix or General CP Mix.
Light: Bright indoors, full sun to partial sun outdoors.
Use: Grows well in the protected bog garden, greenhouse and indoors. It is showy in a hanging basket.