Soil & potting mix
Best soil for Scarlet Sundew (Drosera scorpioides)
Also called Scarlet sundew, Shaggy sundew, Scorpion sundew.
More about scarlet sundew
About Scarlet Sundew
Drosera scorpioides · also called Scarlet sundew, Shaggy sundew · houseplant
Drosera scorpioides is the largest of the pygmy sundews, native to the Jarrah Forest region and southern coastal heathlands of south-west Western Australia, where it grows in sandy, nutrient-poor soils in a Mediterranean climate. It forms vivid scarlet rosettes that can grow atop stems up to 15–18 cm tall over several years, and produces pale pink flowers in winter through early spring. The critical care rule is its winter-active, summer-dormant rhythm: plants tolerate mild frosts but must not be subjected to summer heat and wet simultaneously. Drosera is not listed in the ASPCA database; classify as mildly-toxic for pets.
Preferred mix: 2:1 peat and sand
Watch for — Gemmae failure to germinate: Gemmae are produced in the crown centre in autumn and must be dispersed promptly; left in place they can rot — scatter them onto the surface of fresh moist peat–sand mix as soon as they mature and they will sprout within 1–3 weeks.
Why scarlet sundew needs this mix
Scarlet Sundew is an easy-going houseplant — it just wants a free-draining general mix that holds some moisture but never stays soggy.
- Scarlet Sundew is adaptable, but like most houseplants it still needs air at the roots — a mix that drains freely while holding a working moisture reserve.
- A little perlite or bark stops ordinary compost compacting into an airless block over time, which is the slow, common cause of decline.
- It is not fussy about pH or special ingredients; getting the air-to-moisture balance right is what matters.
For the full picture on what makes up a good mix, see our guide to the main types of soil and potting media — it explains why each ingredient above behaves the way it does.
What goes wrong with the wrong mix
The wrong soil is one of the most common reasons scarlet sundew struggles, and the damage often shows up weeks later as a watering problem. For this species specifically:
- Plain garden soil or a cheap, claggy compost compacts in the pot and slowly suffocates scarlet sundew's roots.
- A pure peat mix that dries to a hard, water-repelling block is hard to re-wet and stresses the plant.
- No drainage hole turns even a good mix into a stagnant, root-rotting sump.
Reusing tired, compacted old compost or skipping the perlite. A free-draining mix in a pot with a hole solves most "why is it struggling" cases for scarlet sundew.
pH — does it matter for scarlet sundew?
Scarlet Sundew is not fussy about pH — a slightly acidic to neutral mix (around pH 6.0-7.0), which a standard peat-free compost provides, is perfectly fine. No testing needed.
If you want to check or adjust it, the soil pH guide walks through testing and the safe ways to nudge a mix more acidic or more alkaline.
DIY mix vs a bagged one
A decent bagged houseplant compost works for scarlet sundew as long as you mix in perlite for air. The simple DIY ratio above is cheap and more reliable than a budget bag alone.
Drainage and the pot
A pot with a drainage hole and a saucer you empty after watering is all scarlet sundew needs — the free-draining mix does the rest.
Refresh scarlet sundew's mix every 18-24 months; even good compost slumps and compacts, and fresh, airy mix is often the simplest fix for a tired plant. When the time comes, our repotting guide for scarlet sundew covers the timing and technique step by step.
Scarlet Sundew soil — frequently asked questions
What is the best soil mix for scarlet sundew?
3 parts peat-free houseplant compost : 1 part perlite : 1 part orchid bark or coco chips (optional). Scarlet Sundew is adaptable, but like most houseplants it still needs air at the roots — a mix that drains freely while holding a working moisture reserve.
Can I use normal potting soil for scarlet sundew?
Plain garden soil or a cheap, claggy compost compacts in the pot and slowly suffocates scarlet sundew's roots. A decent bagged houseplant compost works for scarlet sundew as long as you mix in perlite for air. The simple DIY ratio above is cheap and more reliable than a budget bag alone.
Does scarlet sundew need a special pH?
Scarlet Sundew is not fussy about pH — a slightly acidic to neutral mix (around pH 6.0-7.0), which a standard peat-free compost provides, is perfectly fine. No testing needed.
Should I buy a bagged mix or make my own for scarlet sundew?
A decent bagged houseplant compost works for scarlet sundew as long as you mix in perlite for air. The simple DIY ratio above is cheap and more reliable than a budget bag alone.
How often should I refresh the soil for scarlet sundew?
Refresh scarlet sundew's mix every 18-24 months; even good compost slumps and compacts, and fresh, airy mix is often the simplest fix for a tired plant. A pot with a drainage hole and a saucer you empty after watering is all scarlet sundew needs — the free-draining mix does the rest.
Keep reading
- Scarlet Sundew care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water scarlet sundew — the schedule the mix feeds into
- Repotting scarlet sundew — when and how to refresh the mix
- Soil pH guide — test it and adjust it safely
- Should I water my plant? The simple check first
- Overwatered plant — signs and recovery
- Root rot — how the wrong soil starts it, and how to save the plant
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