Troubleshooting
Alice's Sundew problems — and how to fix them
Alice's Sundew (Drosera aliciae) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Tentacles lose their dew / not sticky
Usually too little light, low humidity, or a recently moved plant. Increase light to a bright sunny window or grow light, keep it in one stable spot, and raise local humidity; never mist the dew off.
Browning leaves or sudden dieback
Most often mineral damage from tap or bottled mineral water, or fertiliser in the soil. Switch to rain/distilled water (under 50 ppm TDS) and repot into a nutrient-free peat-sand mix.
Soft, mouldy crown or rotting leaves
Fungal rot from stagnant, waterlogged conditions and poor airflow. Improve ventilation, avoid letting the tray stay flooded constantly, and remove dead leaves and any aphid-infested flower stalks promptly.
Distorted or stunted new growth
Aphids, mealybugs, or thrips attacking the crown. Remove by hand or use a diluted, carnivorous-safe insecticide — never soap-based products, which sundews tolerate poorly.
Flat, pale green, stretching rosette
Not enough light. Healthy plants are tight and red-tinged; a sprawling green rosette means it needs a much brighter position or supplemental grow lighting on a 13-16 hour day.
Plant shrivels to its roots in winter
A cold-stress response rather than death. Alice's sundew has no true dormancy but can die back if chilled; keep it frost-free and it typically regrows from the roots in spring.
Prevent alice's sundew problems before they start
Most alice's sundew issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Alice's Sundew problems — FAQ
Why is my alice's sundew tentacles lose their dew / not sticky?
Usually too little light, low humidity, or a recently moved plant. Increase light to a bright sunny window or grow light, keep it in one stable spot, and raise local humidity; never mist the dew off.
Why is my alice's sundew browning leaves or sudden dieback?
Most often mineral damage from tap or bottled mineral water, or fertiliser in the soil. Switch to rain/distilled water (under 50 ppm TDS) and repot into a nutrient-free peat-sand mix.
Why is my alice's sundew soft, mouldy crown or rotting leaves?
Fungal rot from stagnant, waterlogged conditions and poor airflow. Improve ventilation, avoid letting the tray stay flooded constantly, and remove dead leaves and any aphid-infested flower stalks promptly.
Why is my alice's sundew distorted or stunted new growth?
Aphids, mealybugs, or thrips attacking the crown. Remove by hand or use a diluted, carnivorous-safe insecticide — never soap-based products, which sundews tolerate poorly.
Why is my alice's sundew flat, pale green, stretching rosette?
Not enough light. Healthy plants are tight and red-tinged; a sprawling green rosette means it needs a much brighter position or supplemental grow lighting on a 13-16 hour day.
Why is my alice's sundew plant shrivels to its roots in winter?
A cold-stress response rather than death. Alice's sundew has no true dormancy but can die back if chilled; keep it frost-free and it typically regrows from the roots in spring.