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Drosera slackii (Drosera slackii)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Drosera slackii

Beginner

Drosera slackii

A sundew from the Cape region of South Africa forming rosettes 5-10 cm across of spoon- to heart-shaped leaves, with pink flowers. Named after the British carnivorous-plant author Adrian Slack, it holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Growing Difficulty
Beginner
Temperature
10〜30℃
Lifespan
Perennial
Size
Rosettes 5-10 cm across
Humidity
60〜90%
Watering
No fertilizer (catches small insects)

About

Drosera slackii is a perennial sundew native to the Cape region of South Africa. It was described in 1987 by M. Cheek in the Kew Bulletin, and the name honours the British horticulturist Adrian Slack (1933-2018), known for his books on growing carnivorous plants. It forms ground-level rosettes about 5-10 cm across of spoon- to nearly heart-shaped leaves, and bears pink flowers. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, marking it as an easy and ornamental sundew. Many similar rosette sundews come from South Africa, and unlabelled plants are hard to identify by eye, so buy plants sold under the scientific name. In Japan it appears regularly at online auctions. Care is as for other rosette sundews: bright light, tray watering with pure water, and soil without fertilizer. Declining plants can be renewed from root or leaf cuttings, which reach size faster than seedlings, and repotting into fresh soil every few years keeps it going.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Size of the Drosera slackii

The Drosera slackii grows to Rosettes 5-10 cm across.

Basic Info

Origin

South Africa (Cape region)

Lifespan

Perennial

Size

Rosettes 5-10 cm across

Temperature

10〜30℃

Humidity

60〜90%

Watering & Fertilizer

No fertilizer (catches small insects)

Growing Tips

Light & Placement

Bright light keeps the rosette compact; windowsills are often too dim, so a greenhouse or LEDs suit it.

Watering

Keep the soil constantly moist on a tray of pure or rain water.

Soil & Repotting

Grows in pure sphagnum or a peat-sand mix without fertilizer; repot every 3-5 years.

Propagation

Propagate from root or leaf cuttings; sow seed on the surface without covering.

Fertilizer

No fertilizer in the soil; if feeding, place small insects on dewy leaves.

CarnivorousSundewDroseraSouth AfricaRosette

Drosera slackii FAQ

QWhat is the growing difficulty level for Drosera slackii?
A

Beginner. A variety suitable for beginners. No special equipment or experience is required—you can grow it without problems by setting up a basic cultivation environment.

QHow large does Drosera slackii get?
A

The mature size of Drosera slackii is Rosettes 5-10 cm across. This may vary slightly depending on cultivation environment and individual differences.

QHow should I water and fertilize Drosera slackii?
A

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

QWhat is the typical price for Drosera slackii?
A

The price of Drosera slackii 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 slackii Cheek

Authority databases: GBIF · GBIF Drosera slackii Cheek

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listed

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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