Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Paradox Sundew (Drosera paradoxa)— schedule & NPK
Also called Paradox sundew.
More about paradox sundew
About Paradox Sundew
Drosera paradoxa · also called Paradox sundew · tropical
Drosera paradoxa is a member of the petiolaris complex of tropical Australian sundews, found on seasonally wet sandstone plateaus and floodplains of the Northern Territory and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is a deciduous, warm-temperate species that requires a pronounced hot, wet growing season and a cooler, drier dormancy — replicating the Australian monsoon cycle. The single most critical care fact is that it must be kept warm even in its dry rest period (minimum 18 °C / 64 °F); frost or cold damp conditions will kill it rapidly. Drosera is not listed as toxic to cats or dogs by the ASPCA and is considered non-toxic to pets.
Growth habit: Deciduous rosette-forming perennial with erect, petiolate leaves bearing a wide, round lamina clothed in red glands; leaves die back during dry dormancy.
What fertiliser paradox sundew actually wants — and why
Paradox 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 paradox 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 paradox 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 paradox sundew:
Feed 3–5 times during the growing season by placing a small insect on an active dewy leaf; never apply liquid or granular fertiliser to the soil. 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 paradox 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 paradox sundew
Half strength is the safe default for paradox 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 paradox sundew first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the paradox sundew watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding paradox sundew
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for paradox 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 paradox 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 paradox sundew care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of paradox 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 paradox 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 paradox sundew — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does paradox 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. Paradox 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 paradox sundew?
Feed 3–5 times during the growing season by placing a small insect on an active dewy leaf; never apply liquid or granular fertiliser to the soil. Feed 3–5 times during the growing season by placing a small insect on an active dewy leaf; never apply liquid or granular fertiliser to the soil. 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 paradox sundew?
Half strength is the safe default for paradox sundew — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding paradox 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 paradox 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 paradox sundew?
Flush the pot of paradox 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
- Paradox Sundew care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water paradox 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 malaysian orchid
- How to fertilise showy medinilla
- How to fertilise sedum-leaf medinilla
- All 10153 fertilising guides in the Growli library