Repotting guide

When & how to repot Hen-and-Chickens Sundew (Drosera prolifera)

Also called hen-and-chickens sundew, proliferous sundew.

More about hen-and-chickens sundew

About Hen-and-Chickens Sundew

Drosera prolifera · also called hen-and-chickens sundew, proliferous sundew · houseplant

Drosera prolifera is a rare and beautiful tropical sundew from the wet rainforests of far north Queensland, Australia. It uniquely produces plantlets (proliferations) along its flowering scapes — giving rise to its common name. A highly specialised species, it demands consistently warm temperatures, very high humidity, and a shaded, boggy environment; best suited to a terrarium.

Mature size: Rosette 5–10 cm diameter; scapes to 20 cm

Watch for — Scape plantlets failing to root: Plantlets form readily on the scapes but can fail to root if pressed against dry substrate. Pin the scape gently against moist sphagnum with a small clip or wire staple; plantlets root within 3–5 weeks and can then be severed and potted individually.

How to tell hen-and-chickens sundew needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens sundew

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Hen-and-Chickens 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. Low-growing, stemless rosette-forming perennial with round to kidney-shaped peltate leaves held on long petioles. Produces long, arching scapes that develop adventitious plantlets (vivipary) along their length — the defining characteristic of the species. No seasonal dormancy..

What size pot to step hen-and-chickens sundew up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Hen-and-Chickens 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 hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens sundew

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens sundew

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens 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 nutrient-free peat-sphagnum mix, 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 hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens sundew

Hen-and-Chickens Sundew wants nutrient-free peat-sphagnum mix. Use live or dried long-fiber sphagnum moss alone, or a 50:50 blend of plain peat and perlite. Sphagnum provides excellent moisture retention and naturally acidic conditions (pH 4.0–5.0) that mirror the rainforest floor. Zero fertiliser content is mandatory. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting hen-and-chickens sundew — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot hen-and-chickens sundew?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for hen-and-chickens sundew. Only repot hen-and-chickens 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 nutrient-free peat-sphagnum mix. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does hen-and-chickens sundew need?

When is the best time of year to repot hen-and-chickens sundew?

Does hen-and-chickens sundew like to be root-bound?

Yes — hen-and-chickens 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 hen-and-chickens sundew after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting hen-and-chickens 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.