Sundews are fascinating carnivorous plants that have conquered most of the world, from arid deserts to tropical forests, and today the sundew family has spawned nearly 200 different species. Acclimatization to their local environment has pushed the evolution of the plant in various locations. As a result, you can find different classifications, such as tropical, temperate, tuberous, pygmy, and wooly. Sundews are quite a species, and today we will help them conquer their final frontier, THE COFFEE TABLE, and this is why today we will teach you how to make a sundew terrarium.
Hold On, What’s a Sundew Terrarium
If you are new to the mysteries of botanical life or growing members of the carnivorous flora, you will need to understand what a terrarium is. Well, put in layman’s terms, it’s a decorative glass pot that controls humidity/water in which you grow your plant.
You can liken it to an aquarium for plants and, in this case – a place to grow one of our favs, the Sundews.
Terrarium Supplies Needed:
- Terrarium
- Sundews
- Fluorescent light (window sill would work)
- Carnivorous Soil
- Aquarium gravel
- Coarse sand
- Decorative rocks
- Tweezers or chop sticks to pick materials
A quick note on Sundews
All Sundews are adaptive species. While you can differentiate between those who can survive in arid lands and those who prefer higher humidity, there are still unbreakable rules that go hand-in-hand with any carnivorous plant.
Remember never to use soil rich (this includes your substrate) in fertilizers and nutrients, as it may kill your Sundew. Depending on the variety, your Sundews may have “dormant winter periods” during which they appear to be dying, but they are not. Please do not throw them out! They’ll spring back in a few months.
Now, that is out of the way; let’s roll up our sleeves and put together your first terrarium.
Building Your Sundew Terrarium
Every experienced cultivator should already know this point by now. Usually after flowering, the Venus flytrap will get sluggish for an entire year due to the lost energy.
They often get over this “slow” period quite quickly if they are in the wild. However, indoor plants don’t bounce back as well. Compared to being in the wild, the light, humidity and other conditions are mostly limited when in sitting in a pot on a window sill.
With these conditions rarely ideal, the Venus trap may never be able to escape its weakened state. In fact, in some cases, they even die. That is why we always advise novice growers to trim the flower stalk as they begin to develop.
Step #1: Pick a terrarium
First, you need to choose a proper container. The truth is that the decorative design of your terrarium’s vessel is just as important to the plant’s cultivation process as it is to look sharp on a shelf. There are many great vessels you can pick from, and we have taken the liberty of suggesting a few designs from both Amazon and Etsy. Your local home decor store, Home goods, Pier1, Pottery Barn are all excellent options too.
Step #2: Add the gravel and charcoal
Once you have found a container, you can start the actual preparation. First, you will need to add the aquarium gravel, roughly 1 or 2 inches. This will act as a substrate and hold excess water, make sure that the stone in the back is slightly higher than the front, where you will want it to be shallower. Doing this will ensure proper drainage, which is vital for any controlled growth, and increase the visibility of your terrarium from the front while also adding depth and height to the build.
Then, you will want to add charcoal, which will help you make sure that any stale odors are controlled.
Do not overdo the charcoal, but rather sprinkle it on top of the gravel until it has covered it lightly. This charcoal may add nutrients to the terrarium that we do not want, so again, the name of the game is sparingly.
Here is the one we recommend
Step #3: Get the soil right
To make sure the soil is right, you will have to mix sphagnum moss and coarse sharp sand. It will recreate two essential conditions for your Sundews the humidity and acidity that these carnivorous miracles need to thrive.
You will need to add two parts moss for one part sharp sand. As you mix the soil, make sure you keep adding water, and the trick here is to make the soil damp, but not wet.
Besides having great guides like “How to Make a Sundew Terrarium” we also have a guide for making specific soil recipes. Read More Here >
Don't feel like mixing your own carnivorous soils?
We recommend these options from Amazon for Sundews
Step #4: Adding the soil
Now that you have the perfect mixture, it’s time to add it to the tank. Once again, you will have to distribute the soil so that it ends up being around 2 or 3 inches at the shallow end and a few inches higher at the deep end. You can also add a screen or piece of cheese cloth between the soil and the substrate to make future care easier, however this is not a necessary step.
Step #5: Plant the Sundews
With the soil sorted out, it’s time to get the Sundews going. The carnivorous plant kingdom is very moody, so you will want to avoid messing with the roots too much. For starters, plants don’t like it, and could stump the development of the plant.
To install the plant, use gloves, tweezers, or chop sticks to handle it as gently as possible and as close to the roots as possible. Then, install it in the soil by covering the roots a little until the plant can stand on its own. Get more soil and finish off building the support for the plant. Alternate the plants and rock placement for a more natural and visual appealing terrarium hardscape.
Here’s an article of ours about caring for this Sundew that you may want to consider for your future reading: Tropical Sundew Care Guide
Step #6: Flip the switch on the fluorescent lights
This section is only a requirement if the terrarium is not next to a window.
Or to occasionally supplement your terrariums light needs.
Growth lights are tremendous, and choosing a proper fluorescent light to beam down on your plant is the way to go. There are various grow lights to consider. The features you should focus on are usually the number of LEDs in each light as well as the availability of different modes and timers.
In the case of carnivorous plants, light is an essential element of the development of the plant, along with humidity, water, and temperature. It’s good to take into account whether your light has an adjustable neck that would allow you to expose the plant to shine at the right angle as well. By following this how to make a sundew terrarium guide you’ll be enjoying these beauties in no time at all.
We recommend these options from Amazon for Sundews
