🌿 Drosera ‘Hercules x self’ Care Sheet
Giant Leaf Cape Hybrid – Vigorous & Impressive!
🏷 Overview
Drosera ‘Hercules x self’ is a stunning man-made hybrid between Drosera capensis and Drosera aliciae, then self-pollinated for stability. It combines the best of both parents: the bold, upright growth of capensis and the compact, red-toned rosette of aliciae—resulting in a robust, tall sundew with wide, paddle-like leaves and a high tolerance for different conditions. A must-have for collectors who enjoy fast growth and dramatic structure!
☀️ Light Requirements
Thrives in bright, direct sunlight or strong artificial light (12–14 hrs/day).
Bright light brings out red tentacle tips and prevents floppy growth.
Suitable for sunny patios, greenhouses, or bright indoor setups.
🌡 Temperature
Ideal range: 15°C – 30°C
Handles cooler temps down to 5°C and hot spells over 30°C if well-watered.
No dormancy required; grows all year in suitable conditions.
💧 Watering
Likes consistently wet soil.
Use rainwater, distilled, or RO water only.
Can sit in a tray of water 1–2 cm deep; allow occasional drying of tray for root health.
🌱 Substrate
Standard carnivorous mix: 1:1 peat moss and perlite or silica sand.
Do not use compost or enriched potting soil.
Optional: top-dress with live sphagnum or decorative sand for aesthetics and moisture stability.
🌬 Humidity & Airflow
Tolerates low to high humidity (30–90%).
Ideal in open air or well-ventilated terrariums.
Good airflow helps prevent mold or algae buildup in dense setups.
🌼 Feeding
Readily catches gnats, flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects.
Can be hand-fed dried insects or bloodworms every few weeks if grown indoors.
Avoid overfeeding—1 bug per leaf is enough.
🌿 Propagation
Very easy to propagate from leaf cuttings, root cuttings, or seed (if pollinated).
Fast grower—often produces offsets or side shoots.
Great plant for sharing, trading, or resale.
📏 Size & Growth Habit
Grows up to 15–25 cm tall with wide, arching leaves.
Forms a semi-erect to upright rosette over time.
Dense, colorful, and impressive when mature.
💡 Terrarium Suitability
Excellent for open or tall terrariums, but does just as well in pots and trays.
Not fussy about humidity—great for beginners wanting a “statement” carnivore.
🧪 Fun Fact
This hybrid was originally created by growers for size and vigor. Its selfed line tends to be uniform, stable, and highly tolerant—making it one of the easiest large sundews to grow successfully across South Africa.