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Repotting guide

When & how to repot African Liana Sundew (Triphyophyllum peltatum)

Also called African Liana Sundew, Liana Sundew.

More about african liana sundew

About African Liana Sundew

Triphyophyllum peltatum · also called African Liana Sundew, Liana Sundew · tropical

Triphyophyllum peltatum is a facultatively carnivorous woody liana from the tropical rainforests of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and is the largest confirmed carnivorous plant in the world, capable of reaching 60 m in length at maturity. It expresses carnivory only when phosphorus is deficient, producing sticky glandular leaves that trap insects; at other life stages it bears non-carnivorous strap-like or climbing leaves. It is extremely rare in cultivation — maintained only at a handful of botanical gardens — and requires a consistently warm, humid tropical greenhouse. The plant contains naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids; it is not listed on the ASPCA database and must be treated as potentially harmful to pets.

Mature size: In nature the liana trunk can reach 10 cm thick and climb to 60 m; in cultivation plants are typically maintained as much smaller specimens in greenhouse containers.

How to tell african liana sundew needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For african liana sundew, watch for these signs:

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot african liana sundew

Every 2–3 years; top-dress in the in-between years. African Liana Sundew's growth habit — woody liana passing through three leaf forms: juvenile strap-like non-carnivorous leaves, followed by long sticky glandular carnivorous leaves, then long twining climbing stems bearing small hooked non-carnivorous leaves. — sets the pace. Triphyophyllum peltatum is a facultatively carnivorous woody liana from the tropical rainforests of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, and is the largest confirmed carnivorous plant in the world, capable of reaching 60 m in length at maturity. It expresses carnivory only when phosphorus is deficient, producing sticky glandular leaves that trap insects; at other life stages it bears non-carnivorous strap-like or climbing leaves. It is extremely rare in cultivation — maintained only at a handful of botanical gardens — and requires a consistently warm, humid tropical greenhouse. The plant contains naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids; it is not listed on the ASPCA database and must be treated as potentially harmful to pets.

What size pot to step african liana sundew up to

Move up exactly one pot size. A heavy african liana sundew dropped into a vastly bigger pot sits in a reservoir of wet soil its roots cannot reach, which rots them and destabilises the plant. In the years between repots, lift off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil (top-dressing) instead — it refreshes nutrients without the shock of a full repot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot african liana sundew

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for african liana sundew. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting african liana sundew

  1. Consider top-dressing first. If african liana sundew is not badly root-bound, scrape off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil instead — far less shock for a big plant that hates moving.
  2. Get help and one size up. For a full repot, choose a pot just one size larger. A heavy plant needs two people and a stable, free-draining pot.
  3. Ease it out on its side. Lay the plant down, slide the pot off, and gently loosen the outer roots. Do not bare-root a mature specimen.
  4. Repot at the same depth. Add fresh acidic, nutrient-poor, free-draining mix: peat or coconut coir with coarse sand beneath and around the rootball, keeping the original soil line. Firm it so the trunk is stable and upright.
  5. Water and leave it put. Water thoroughly, then leave african liana sundew in the same spot and light — moving and repotting at once is what makes it drop leaves.

Aftercare

Leave african liana sundew in exactly the same spot and light it was in before — moving and repotting at the same time is what makes a big specimen drop leaves. Water it in well, then let the top of the soil dry before watering again so the larger volume of fresh soil does not stay sodden. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for african liana sundew

African Liana Sundew wants acidic, nutrient-poor, free-draining mix: peat or coconut coir with coarse sand. Mimic the shallow, acid, nutrient-depleted lateritic soils of West African dry evergreen rainforest; excellent drainage is critical as the species is not a bog plant — standing water will rot the roots. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting african liana sundew — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot african liana sundew?

Every 2–3 years; top-dress in the in-between years for african liana sundew. Fully repot african liana sundew only every 2–3 years; in the in-between years just top-dress the top 3–5 cm of soil. Step up one pot size in spring with acidic, nutrient-poor, free-draining mix: peat or coconut coir with coarse sand. It is heavy and hates being moved, and a vastly oversized pot holds water against the roots and rots them.

What size pot does african liana sundew need?

Move up exactly one pot size. A heavy african liana sundew dropped into a vastly bigger pot sits in a reservoir of wet soil its roots cannot reach, which rots them and destabilises the plant. In the years between repots, lift off and replace the top 3–5 cm of soil (top-dressing) instead — it refreshes nutrients without the shock of a full repot. Use our pot size calculator to size it from the plant's current pot and root spread.

When is the best time of year to repot african liana sundew?

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for african liana sundew. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Should you top-dress or fully repot african liana sundew?

For a big, heavy african liana sundew, top-dressing — replacing the top 3–5 cm of soil — is the gentler option most years, with a full repot only every 2–3 years. A mature specimen sulks and drops leaves when fully repotted, so do it as rarely as the roots allow.

Should you fertilise african liana sundew after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting african liana sundew. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.

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