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Fertilising guide

How to fertilise Drosera capensis 'Alba' (Drosera capensis 'Alba')— schedule & NPK

Also called White cape sundew.

More about drosera capensis 'alba'

About Drosera capensis 'Alba'

Drosera capensis 'Alba' · also called White cape sundew · tropical

Drosera capensis 'Alba' is the all-green, anthocyanin-free form of the Cape sundew from South Africa, with strap-like leaves covered in glistening sticky tentacles that curl around trapped insects. One of the easiest carnivorous plants for beginners, it grows fast, self-seeds freely, and thrives on a sunny windowsill in wet, mineral-free bog conditions.

Growth habit: Fast-growing subtropical rosette sundew producing long, narrow strap-like leaves lined with glistening, insect-catching tentacles. It flowers readily with small white blooms and self-pollinates, scattering abundant seed; old plants develop a short upright stem of dead leaf bases.

Watch for — All-green with no vigour: The 'Alba' form is naturally green (it cannot make red pigment), but limp, pale, dewless growth signals insufficient light. Brighten the position; do not expect red colouration.

What fertiliser drosera capensis 'alba' actually wants — and why

Drosera capensis 'Alba' is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.

A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula.

For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for drosera capensis 'alba': match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.

How often to feed drosera capensis 'alba', and which months

Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For drosera capensis 'alba':

Do not fertilise the soil. It feeds itself on small flying insects caught in its dew. If grown indoors with few insects, occasionally place a tiny dried bloodworm or fish-food fragment on a leaf so the tentacles can digest it; never feed the roots. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.

The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when drosera capensis 'alba' is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.

What strength to mix for drosera capensis 'alba'

Half strength is the safe default for drosera capensis 'alba' — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.

Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water drosera capensis 'alba' first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the drosera capensis 'alba' watering schedule.

Signs you are over-feeding drosera capensis 'alba'

Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for drosera capensis 'alba':

Signs you are under-feeding drosera capensis 'alba'

If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full drosera capensis 'alba' care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.

Flushing and leaching the salts

Flush the pot of drosera capensis 'alba' with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.

Organic vs synthetic feeds for drosera capensis 'alba'

Organic options

A diluted seaweed or worm-casting feed, or fish emulsion if you can tolerate the smell indoors. UK: Westland or Baby Bio Organic, dilute seaweed; US: Espoma Indoor! or Neptune's Harvest fish & seaweed. Slow, gentle and hard to overdo.

Synthetic / liquid feeds

A general-purpose houseplant liquid at half strength — UK: Baby Bio, Westland Houseplant Feed or Phostrogen; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Schultz. Convenient and fast-acting; the only risk is overdoing it.

Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.

Fertilising drosera capensis 'alba' — frequently asked questions

What fertiliser does drosera capensis 'alba' need?

A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula. Drosera capensis 'Alba' is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.

How often should I feed drosera capensis 'alba'?

Do not fertilise the soil. It feeds itself on small flying insects caught in its dew. If grown indoors with few insects, occasionally place a tiny dried bloodworm or fish-food fragment on a leaf so the tentacles can digest it; never feed the roots. Do not fertilise the soil. It feeds itself on small flying insects caught in its dew. If grown indoors with few insects, occasionally place a tiny dried bloodworm or fish-food fragment on a leaf so the tentacles can digest it; never feed the roots. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.

What strength of feed for drosera capensis 'alba'?

Half strength is the safe default for drosera capensis 'alba' — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.

What does over-feeding drosera capensis 'alba' look like?

Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering. A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim. Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops. Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered. Feeding drosera capensis 'alba' year-round on a fixed schedule, including dark winter months, is the most common mistake — it cannot use the nutrients in low light and the surplus simply burns the roots and crusts the soil.

Should I flush the soil of drosera capensis 'alba'?

Flush the pot of drosera capensis 'alba' with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.

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