🌿 Drosera filiformis ‘Red’ Care Sheet
(Red Thread-leaf Sundew)
🌞 Overview
Drosera filiformis ‘Red’ is one of the most striking thread-leaf sundews available, producing long, slender leaves covered in glistening red sticky tentacles that trap insects with ease. When grown in strong light, the entire plant can turn deep crimson-red — looking almost unreal in the sun.
This is a temperate carnivorous plant originating from North America and requires a winter dormancy period to remain healthy long term. It is fast-growing in season and can become surprisingly impressive when mature.
 
⚡ Quick Tips
☀️ The more direct sun it receives, the redder it becomes 
💧 Always use rainwater, RO water, or distilled water only 
❄️ Requires winter dormancy every year 
🦟 Excellent natural fungus gnat and small insect catcher 
🌱 Best grown outdoors or in very bright conditions 
🚫 Never use tap water unless extremely low in minerals 
 
🌿 Key Features
📏 Size
Mature height: 15–40 cm 
Spread: 8–20 cm 
🚀 Growth Rate
Moderate to fast during active growing season 
🌱 Growth Habit
Upright thread-like leaves emerging from a central crown 
Forms a winter hibernaculum (dormant resting bud) during cold months 
 
🏡 Suitable Environments
✅ Outdoor carnivorous plant collection
✅ Sunny windowsill
✅ Cold greenhouse
✅ Temperate bog planter
✅ Outdoor pots and trays
⚠️ Not ideal for closed terrariums long term due to dormancy requirements
 
🪴 Substrate / Soil Options
Drosera filiformis ‘Red’ prefers nutrient-poor, acidic soil with excellent moisture retention.
Recommended Mixes
50% peat moss + 50% silica sand or perlite
 
☀️ Light Tolerance
Ideal Light
Full sun (6hours+ for best colour) to very bright light 
Indoor Growing
If grown indoors, a very strong grow light is usually required to prevent weak green growth.
 
🌡️ Temperature Tolerance
Ultimate Temperature Range
Approx. -5°C to 38°C 
 
💧 Humidity Tolerance
Humidity Range
40%–90% humidity 
Unlike many tropical carnivorous plants, extremely high humidity is not essential.
 
🚿 Watering
Keep the soil consistently wet during active growth.
ONLY use:
Rainwater 
RO water 
Distilled water 
🚫 Avoid mineral-rich water sources.
Winter
Keep slightly damp during dormancy — not waterlogged.
 
🌱 Feeding
Drosera filiformis ‘Red’ catches its own prey naturally.
Outdoors
No feeding usually required.
Indoors
Occasional small insects can help growth.
🚫 Avoid:
Meat 
Fertiliser pellets 
Overfeeding 
 
 
💡 Quick Growing Advice
🌞 Treat this plant more like a hardy outdoor bog plant than a tropical houseplant.
If you give it:
strong sun ☀️ 
pure water 💧 
poor acidic soil 🌱 
and a proper winter rest ❄️ 
…it rewards you with dramatic glowing red leaves covered in sparkling carnivorous traps. A plant that looks delicate — but is actually tougher than many growers expect.