Repotting guide

When & how to repot Hamilton's Sundew (Drosera hamiltonii)

Also called Hamilton's sundew.

More about hamilton's sundew

About Hamilton's Sundew

Drosera hamiltonii · also called Hamilton's sundew · houseplant

Hamilton's sundew is a Western Australian carnivorous plant producing large, paddle-shaped leaves densely fringed with sticky red glands that trap insects. It thrives in nutrient-poor, acidic, constantly moist media under bright light. Keep it in pure water — never tap — and avoid fertiliser. A rewarding windowsill or terrarium specimen.

Mature size: Rosette to 8–12 cm diameter; leaves to 5 cm long

Watch for — Blackening and dying leaves: Almost always caused by tap water minerals or fertiliser residue. Switch immediately to distilled or rainwater and flush the pot thoroughly. Affected leaves will die back but healthy new growth should emerge.

How to tell hamilton's sundew needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For hamilton'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 hamilton'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 hamilton's sundew

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Hamilton'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. Rosette-forming perennial carnivorous herb.

What size pot to step hamilton's sundew up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Hamilton'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 hamilton'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 hamilton's sundew

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

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide hamilton'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 hamilton'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 peat-free carnivore mix or 1:1 perlite and sphagnum moss, 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 hamilton'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 hamilton's sundew

Hamilton's Sundew wants peat-free carnivore mix or 1:1 perlite and sphagnum moss. Use a nutrient-free, low-mineral medium. A mix of pure long-fibre sphagnum moss and coarse perlite works well. Avoid standard potting compost, garden soil, or any mix containing fertiliser. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting hamilton's sundew — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot hamilton's sundew?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for hamilton's sundew. Only repot hamilton'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 peat-free carnivore mix or 1:1 perlite and sphagnum moss. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does hamilton's sundew need?

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

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

Yes — hamilton'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 hamilton's sundew after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting hamilton'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.