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Watering schedule

How often to water Hen-and-Chickens Sundew (Drosera prolifera) — the schedule

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.

Ideal humidity: 80–100%

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.

The watering schedule, season by season

Hen-and-Chickens Sundew is a bog plant adapted to nutrient-poor wet ground — it must sit in a tray of pure water and must never get tap water or fertiliser. The base rhythm for hen-and-chickens sundew is continuously in a tray of 1–2 cm pure water; never allow to dry out., but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Use only rainwater, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water — mineral-free water is critical. D. prolifera has no dormancy and requires consistent moisture year-round. The tray method is essential. Do not mist, as this can dilute the mucilage without adding significant humidity.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for hen-and-chickens sundew in seconds.

How to tell hen-and-chickens sundew needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water hen-and-chickens sundew. Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering hen-and-chickens sundew for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering hen-and-chickens sundew

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For hen-and-chickens sundew specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Signs you are underwatering

Tap or bottled mineral water kills hen-and-chickens sundew. Its roots cannot handle dissolved minerals — only rain, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water will do.

Water quality notes

Only rainwater, distilled or reverse-osmosis water — never tap, mineral or softened water. This is the single most important rule for hen-and-chickens sundew.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For hen-and-chickens sundew, the levers that matter most are:

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of hen-and-chickens sundew.

Hen-and-Chickens Sundew watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water hen-and-chickens sundew?

Water hen-and-chickens sundew continuously in a tray of 1–2 cm pure water; never allow to dry out.. Spring and summer: keep the pot standing in 1-2 cm of distilled or rainwater at all times; top the tray up as it is taken up. Winter: keep just damp, not flooded — many temperate carnivores need a cool dormancy with far less water.

How do I know when hen-and-chickens sundew needs water?

The tray has run dry (during active growth it should rarely be empty). The peat-based medium feels dry rather than wet. Traps or pitchers shrivel or fail to form. The single most reliable test for hen-and-chickens sundew is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered hen-and-chickens sundew look like?

Blackening traps or pitchers from stagnant, warm, mineral-laden water. Rotting crown if kept warm and flooded through winter dormancy. Tap or bottled mineral water kills hen-and-chickens sundew. Its roots cannot handle dissolved minerals — only rain, distilled, or reverse-osmosis water will do.

What are the signs of an underwatered hen-and-chickens sundew?

Traps go limp and brown; pitchers dry up. The medium dries out and the plant collapses quickly.

Can I use tap water on hen-and-chickens sundew?

Only rainwater, distilled or reverse-osmosis water — never tap, mineral or softened water. This is the single most important rule for hen-and-chickens sundew.

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