Tuberous Sundews are found in various parts of Australia, mainly. As are the pygmies. Both are grown basically the same, the main difference is MOST pygmies do not need to be dried out for the summer, drier yes but not dried out. Actually, most pygmy sundews can be grown year round if they are kept moist year round. For now this page will cover the tuberous and pygmy sundews, though we may make separate sections at a later date.

There are basically three types of tuberous sundews: Erect, Climbing and rosseted. They are all grown the same but the climbing ones should be provided with something to climb and the erect ones may need some support.

Tuberous Sundews & Pygmy Sundews require a dry summer dormancy lasting app. 5 or 6 months. During the summer dormancy tuberous Sundew will die back and appear to be completely dead. Once it dies back remove it from the water tray and place it in a cool area, between 65º and 75º F is best and forget about it for several months. After four months start checking on it from time to time. Sooner or later, maybe up to seven months depending on the plants age and other factors, you will see an "eye" from the tuber start to emerge from the soil. When this happens place it back in the water tray and grow until time for dormancy again.

These are vigorous growers as soon as they wake up, doing most of their growing up front and just maintaining what they have the rest of the season. Grow in the 55º - 75º F range and the humidity should remain above 40%, but like most sundews adequte light is more important than humidity. These can take bright light but try to avoid the direct afternoon sun and watch the heat. Temps over 85°F can cause death.

I grow mine under 4' fluorescent bulbs during the winter on a shelf next to a window. The nights can get rather cool in this area and it keeps the tuberous sundews quit happy. They generally start growing around October or November and go dormant between April and May.

I keep them rather wet, sitting in an inch or so of water most of the time during the growing season. As Spring comes and it starts to warm up I reduce their water to 1/2" and wait for them to start to die back. Then I remove them from the water and allow them to dry out. This is using 6" pots. You should use 6" pots or larger for tuberous sundews. 4" pots generally work fine for the pygmies but larger pots allow them to spread out and clump more.

Optionally you can remove the tubers from the soil and store them in plastic bags with a strand or two of damp lfsm. Wait until the media is dry before you dig them up. Store in a fairly dark non-hot location. After a couple months start checking on them. When you see a small "eye" start to emerge place them back in the soil. You will need to make a hole to drop them in, 1 - 4 inches deep depending on the plant and its age. Basically about the depth you got it from put it back at. Fill the hole with sand and gently water. You want the eye pointing up. Place in a water tray right off. The tubers can be pea to walnut sized depending on the type and age of the plant.

Grow both tuberous and pygmy sundews in 2/1 silica sand/peat. You can also use one part perlite if you so choose.

I have had better luck with Tuberous Sundew Seeds by soaking in GA3. 200 - 300 PPM for 24 hrs does fine.

Other than the summer dormancy and cooler growing temps grow as the rest of the Sundews.

Pygmy Sundews are not tuberous Sundews but they do share the same dry winter dormancy and cooler growing conditions. Most can be grown year round in cultivation. Make sure you get their requirements when you purchase it, they can vary.