Drosera slackii
Slack's sundew
Drosera slackii is a perennial carnivorous plant, producing pandurate or guitar-shaped leaves, up to 4cm long on a short stem. Leaves are green assuming a reddish-hue in high light and covered with red, sticky, glandular hairs, which trap and digest insect prey. A single or rarely double inflorescence to 40cm (16in) in height is produced in spring bearing deep pink, single flowers, 5-6cm (2-2½in) across
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Green Red | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red | |||
| Autumn | Green Red | |||
| Winter | Green Red |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Droseraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Drosera, commonly known as the sundews are one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants. They are perennial or (more rarely) annual, upright herbaceous plants forming either prostrate or upright rosettes, and can live for up to 50 years.
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass grow in a mix of equal parts fertiliser-free peat substitute and sand, in full light, although may need shading from hot midday sun in summer. The compost should be kept continually moist to wet during the growing season by standing the container in a tray of lime-free water, such as rainwater or Reverse Osmosis water. Keep just moist during the winter and do not stand the plants in water. Do not apply fertiliser at all through the year. Minimum temperatures should be no lower than 5C in the winter. In lower temperatures the plant may die back to the roots, but sometimes regenerates again in the spring. For further information see Carnivorous plant cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed as soon as ripe. Stored seed rapidly loses viability. Leaf cuttings during the growing season and root cuttings taken when dormant are alternative methods of propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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