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Drosera ordensis (Drosera ordensis)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Drosera ordensis

Intermediate

Drosera ordensis

A 'woolly' sundew of the petiolaris group with broad petioles densely covered in long silvery hairs. Rosettes are usually about 8 cm across. It bears pink to white flowers and grows around the Ord River in northern Australia.

Growing Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
10〜30℃
Lifespan
Perennial
Size
Rosettes about 8 cm across (up to 20 cm reported)
Humidity
60〜90%
Watering
No fertilizer (catches small insects)

About

Drosera ordensis is a perennial sundew of the Drosera petiolaris complex (subgenus Lasiocephala) in northern Australia. It grows around Kununurra at the north-eastern tip of Western Australia and in the neighbouring Keep River National Park area of the Northern Territory, on sandy soils near sandstone outcrops among Sorghum grasses that give light shade. It is named after the Ord River, where it was first found in 1951, and was described by A. Lowrie in 1994. Rosettes are usually about 8 cm across, with plants up to 20 cm reported. Its petioles are broad for the group and densely covered on both faces with long white woolly hairs, ending in round blades about 3-5 mm across. In the dry season it produces small, hairy, semi-dormant leaves, and the dense hairs are thought to collect dew and condensation. It flowers from December to April, opening five-petalled flowers about 1.5 cm across one at a time, ranging from pink to nearly white. Its closest relative is D. lanata. In Japan it appears regularly at online auctions. Cultivation is as for its relatives and fairly easy if kept warm.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Size of the Drosera ordensis

The Drosera ordensis grows to Rosettes about 8 cm across (up to 20 cm reported).

Basic Info

Origin

Northern Australia (around Kununurra, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory)

Lifespan

Perennial

Size

Rosettes about 8 cm across (up to 20 cm reported)

Temperature

10〜30℃

Humidity

60〜90%

Watering & Fertilizer

No fertilizer (catches small insects)

Growing Tips

Temperature & Overwintering

Its relatives like the low 30s °C in summer and dislike dropping below 18°C at any time; heat it through winter.

Light & Placement

Grows best in strong light, which shows off the white hairs; weak light makes the leaves stretch.

Watering

Stand small pots in a tray of pure water: higher in summer, lower in winter, even allowing a few dry days.

Soil & Repotting

Grows in pure peat or equal parts peat, sand and perlite; a free-draining mix suits this sandy-soil species.

Propagation

Leaf cuttings do not work and leaf pullings only sometimes succeed; some plants do not divide. To get seed you need two unrelated plants flowering together and hand pollination.

CarnivorousSundewDroseraPetiolaris complexAustralia

Drosera ordensis FAQ

QWhat is the growing difficulty level for Drosera ordensis?
A

Intermediate. A variety suitable for intermediate growers. Requires some cultivation experience and knowledge of environment management. Pay careful attention to temperature and humidity control.

QHow large does Drosera ordensis get?
A

The mature size of Drosera ordensis is Rosettes about 8 cm across (up to 20 cm reported). This may vary slightly depending on cultivation environment and individual differences.

QHow should I water and fertilize Drosera ordensis?
A

Drosera ordensis: watering & fertilizer — No fertilizer (catches small insects). Aim for appropriate frequency and amount.

QWhat is the typical price for Drosera ordensis?
A

The price of Drosera ordensis varies significantly by variety, characteristics, size, and lineage. Please check GrowerDirect's price guide for the latest market information.

Last updated: September 23, 2026

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: GrowerDirect Editorial Team

The classifications, regulations, and growing data on this page are created and verified based on the primary information database below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Drosera ordensis Lowrie

Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF Drosera ordensis Lowrie

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern

Not listed under CITES. Because the genus Drosera includes a designated Invasive Alien Species in Japan (D. intermedia), any Drosera imported into Japan must be accompanied by a species-name certificate. No paperwork is needed to buy or grow plants already in domestic trade.

Sources: Ministry of the Environment, Japan: list of Invasive Alien Species (Drosera requires a species-name certificate on import)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.

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