Repotting guide

When & how to repot Stoloniferous Sundew (Drosera stolonifera)

Also called Stoloniferous sundew, Leafy sundew.

More about stoloniferous sundew

About Stoloniferous Sundew

Drosera stolonifera · also called Stoloniferous sundew, Leafy sundew · flowering

Drosera stolonifera is a tuberous perennial carnivorous plant endemic to the south-west corner of Western Australia, growing in peaty, water-logged swamp heathland and Jarrah forest around Perth south to Pinjarra. It breaks dormancy in autumn, producing a horizontal stolon that inflates into a basal rosette from which 2–4 semi-erect stems arise; the most critical care fact is respecting its mandatory hot, dry summer dormancy — withhold water once leaves die back. Drosera species are not definitively listed by the ASPCA; treat as mildly-toxic for pets.

Mature size: Stems 10–15 cm tall; basal rosette 4–8 cm across.

Watch for — Tuber rot during dormancy: The most common cause of plant death; once the plant dies back allow the soil to dry fully and store in a warm, dry spot — any residual moisture around the tuber in summer causes fungal rot.

How to tell stoloniferous sundew needs repotting

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

Flowering has tailed off year on year and the clump has become congested and overcrowded.
Lots of leaf and few flowers — a classic sign that stoloniferous sundew bulbs or tubers need lifting and dividing.
Bulbs visibly bursting the pot or pushing each other to the surface.
It is the natural dormancy window (foliage yellowed and died back) — the only safe time to lift and split.

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 stoloniferous sundew

Lift and divide every 3–4 years once clumps congest. Rather than a true repot, stoloniferous sundew is lifted and divided once the clump congests and flowering drops off. Winter-growing tuberous perennial; dies back completely to an underground tuber each summer..

What size pot to step stoloniferous sundew up to

Pot size matters less than depth and spacing here. When you replant stoloniferous sundew, set the bulbs or tubers at the correct depth (a rough guide: two to three times their own height of soil over the top) and space them so they are not touching. A wide, shallow pot suits a clump better than a tall narrow one.

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 stoloniferous sundew

The only safe window is dormancy: wait until the foliage has yellowed and died back naturally, lift and divide then, and replant before or at the start of the next growing season. Disturbing stoloniferous sundew in full growth or flower sets it back badly.

Step-by-step: repotting stoloniferous sundew

Wait for dormancy. Let stoloniferous sundew foliage yellow and die back completely. Lifting while it is in growth wastes the energy it is storing for next year.
Lift carefully. Loosen the soil well away from the bulbs/tubers with a fork and ease the whole clump out without spearing them.
Separate the offsets. Gently pull the clump apart into individual bulbs or tubers. Keep only firm, healthy, blemish-free ones.
Replant at the right depth. Reset them in fresh sandy peat or pure horticultural sand at the correct depth and spacing — not touching — so each has room to bulk up.
Water in and rest. Water once to settle them, then keep on the dry side until growth resumes. Do not feed until leaves are actively growing.

Aftercare

After replanting stoloniferous sundew, keep the soil barely moist — not wet — until shoots appear; bulbs and tubers rot in cold, saturated soil. Once leaves are growing strongly, resume normal watering. Hold off feeding until the plant is in active growth again.

The right soil mix for stoloniferous sundew

Stoloniferous Sundew wants sandy peat or pure horticultural sand. Use 1 part peat moss to 1 part coarse washed sand, or clean horticultural sand alone; the mix must be nutrient-free and retain moisture in winter while draining quickly when dormant tubers need dry conditions. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting stoloniferous sundew — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot stoloniferous sundew?

Lift and divide every 3–4 years once clumps congest for stoloniferous sundew. Stoloniferous Sundew is lifted and divided, not "repotted". Every 3–4 years, once the foliage has died back and it is dormant, lift the clump, separate the offsets, and replant at the correct depth in sandy peat or pure horticultural sand. Crowding, not pot size, is what reduces flowering over time.

What size pot does stoloniferous sundew need?

When is the best time of year to repot stoloniferous sundew?

Do you "repot" stoloniferous sundew, or lift and divide it?

You lift and divide it. Stoloniferous Sundew grows from bulbs or tubers, so instead of repotting you wait for dormancy, lift the congested clump, separate the healthy offsets, and replant them at the right depth and spacing. Doing this every 3–4 years restores flowering.

Should you fertilise stoloniferous sundew after repotting?

Hold off feeding stoloniferous sundew until it is in active growth again. Fresh soil already carries enough nutrients to get it re-established, and feeding disturbed roots too soon does more harm than good.