Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Falconer's Sundew (Drosera falconeri)— schedule & NPK
Also called Falconer's sundew.
More about falconer's sundew
About Falconer's Sundew
Drosera falconeri · also called Falconer's sundew · tropical
Drosera falconeri is one of the most distinctive members of the petiolaris complex, native to the seasonally flooded black-soil plains and paperbark swamps of the Northern Territory, Australia. It produces unusually broad, spoon-shaped to almost circular leaves — the widest of any Drosera in the complex — held on short petioles, and is renowned among carnivorous plant collectors for its striking appearance. The single most critical care requirement is a hot, wet growing season (regularly above 30 °C) followed by a warm dry rest; it is highly intolerant of cold and stagnant waterlogging outside the active season. Drosera is not listed as toxic to cats or dogs by the ASPCA and is considered non-toxic to pets.
Growth habit: Deciduous rosette perennial with remarkably broad, flat, spoon-to-disc-shaped leaves bearing dense red glandular tentacles; lies close to the ground in a flat rosette.
What fertiliser falconer's sundew actually wants — and why
Falconer's Sundew 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 falconer's sundew: 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 falconer's sundew, 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 falconer's sundew:
Feed with small insects placed on active leaves 3–6 times during the growing season only; the plant is particularly responsive to feeding and grows faster when well-fed. 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 falconer's sundew 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 falconer's sundew
Half strength is the safe default for falconer's sundew — 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 falconer's sundew first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the falconer's sundew watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding falconer's sundew
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for falconer's sundew:
- 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.
Signs you are under-feeding falconer's sundew
- Uniformly pale or yellow-green leaves, oldest first.
- Noticeably small new leaves and stalled growth in good light and season.
- A generally tired, lacklustre look despite correct watering and light.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full falconer's sundew care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of falconer's sundew 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 falconer's sundew
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 falconer's sundew — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does falconer's sundew 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. Falconer's Sundew 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 falconer's sundew?
Feed with small insects placed on active leaves 3–6 times during the growing season only; the plant is particularly responsive to feeding and grows faster when well-fed. Feed with small insects placed on active leaves 3–6 times during the growing season only; the plant is particularly responsive to feeding and grows faster when well-fed. 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 falconer's sundew?
Half strength is the safe default for falconer's sundew — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding falconer's sundew 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 falconer's sundew 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 falconer's sundew?
Flush the pot of falconer's sundew 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.
Keep reading
- Falconer's Sundew care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water falconer's sundew — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise khimp
- How to fertilise custard apple
- How to fertilise pond apple
- All 10153 fertilising guides in the Growli library