Repotting guide

When & how to repot Western Sundew (Drosera occidentalis)

Also called Western sundew.

More about western sundew

About Western Sundew

Drosera occidentalis · also called Western sundew · houseplant

Drosera occidentalis is a diminutive pygmy sundew endemic to south-western Western Australia, where it grows in damp, sandy, nutrient-poor soils in a Mediterranean climate characterised by cool wet winters and hot dry summers. It is one of the smaller pygmy Drosera, with leaf laminae barely 1 mm in diameter, and is notable as one of the few pygmy sundews that adapts reasonably well to terrarium cultivation. The critical care point is providing a cool, bright winter growing season followed by a warm, dry summer rest during which the plant retreats to a stipule bud. Drosera is not listed in the ASPCA database; treat as mildly-toxic for pets.

Mature size: Rosette 1–2 cm in diameter; one of the smallest pygmy sundews.

Watch for — Stipule bud loss in summer: If kept wet during the summer rest the dormant stipule bud rots; this is the most common cause of plant death — the pot must be kept dry and warm from late spring until first autumn rains (or the equivalent in cultivation).

How to tell western sundew needs repotting

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

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

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 western sundew

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Western Sundew's growth habit — miniature pygmy sundew forming a flat ground-hugging rosette; winter-active, summer-dormant. — sets the pace. Drosera occidentalis is a diminutive pygmy sundew endemic to south-western Western Australia, where it grows in damp, sandy, nutrient-poor soils in a Mediterranean climate characterised by cool wet winters and hot dry summers. It is one of the smaller pygmy Drosera, with leaf laminae barely 1 mm in diameter, and is notable as one of the few pygmy sundews that adapts reasonably well to terrarium cultivation. The critical care point is providing a cool, bright winter growing season followed by a warm, dry summer rest during which the plant retreats to a stipule bud. Drosera is not listed in the ASPCA database; treat as mildly-toxic for pets.

What size pot to step western sundew up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Western Sundew stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

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 western sundew

Spring or summer, while western sundew is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting western sundew

Repot dry. Do not water western sundew for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty 2:1 washed sand and peat ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set western sundew at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep western sundew completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for western sundew

Western Sundew wants 2:1 washed sand and peat. A gritty mix of 2 parts coarse washed sand to 1 part peat suits this species; use a pot at least 10–15 cm deep to accommodate the tap root, and ensure the mix is completely nutrient-free. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting western sundew — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot western sundew?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for western sundew. Repot western sundew every 2–3 years into a snug pot of 2:1 washed sand and peat, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does western sundew need?

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

Should you water western sundew after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot western sundew into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise western sundew after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting western 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.