Repotting guide

When & how to repot Falconer's Sundew (Drosera falconeri)

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.

Mature size: Rosettes 10–20 cm in diameter with individual leaves up to 8 cm wide — among the broadest in the genus.

Watch for — Leaf collapse and flattening without dew: Broad leaves with poor mucilage production indicate heat stress, low humidity, or root problems. Check that soil is consistently moist during the growing season, raise humidity above 65%, and verify the growing temperature exceeds 25 °C.

How to tell falconer's sundew needs repotting

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

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for falconer's sundew) flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

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 falconer's sundew

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Falconer's Sundew is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. 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 size pot to step falconer's sundew up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Falconer's Sundew positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping falconer's sundew into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

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 falconer's sundew

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for falconer's 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 falconer's sundew

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide falconer's sundew out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip falconer's sundew out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh heavy peat or coir with fine sand — simulating black cracking clay loam, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water falconer's sundew again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for falconer's sundew

Falconer's Sundew wants heavy peat or coir with fine sand — simulating black cracking clay loam. Unlike sandy-soil species, D. falconeri tolerates a slightly heavier mix: 2:1 peat to fine silica sand, kept very moist during the growing phase. Still completely nutrient-free — no compost or added minerals. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting falconer's sundew — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot falconer's sundew?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for falconer's sundew. Only repot falconer's sundew every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using heavy peat or coir with fine sand — simulating black cracking clay loam. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does falconer's sundew need?

When is the best time of year to repot falconer's sundew?

Does falconer's sundew like to be root-bound?

Yes — falconer's sundew genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise falconer's sundew after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting falconer's 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.