How much sun does Great Sundew need?

Great Sundew grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Great Sundew bloom?

Great Sundew blooms in July and August.

Where is Great Sundew native?

Great Sundew (Drosera anglica) is native to CA, CO, ID, ME and 7 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Great Sundew HOA-friendly?

Great Sundew takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Great Sundew

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Drosera anglica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Great Sundew (Drosera anglica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

4"–8" H × 2"–4" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug

Native to

CA, CO, ID, ME and 7 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains

Great sundew is a small carnivorous plant that forms compact rosettes of sticky, reddish leaves that trap and digest insects. This bog plant requires constantly moist to wet soil conditions and produces small white flowers on tall stalks in summer.

In an HOA neighborhood

Great Sundew takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Unusual carnivorous appearance may seem odd or concerning
Requires specialized bog conditions difficult to maintain
Very small size makes it appear unintentional or wild

Wildlife value

While the plant produces flowers, its primary ecological role is as an insect predator rather than pollinator support, helping control small flying insects in wet areas.

Common questions

How much sun does Great Sundew need?: Great Sundew grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Great Sundew bloom?: Great Sundew blooms in July and August.
Where is Great Sundew native?: Great Sundew (Drosera anglica) is native to CA, CO, ID, ME and 7 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Great Sundew HOA-friendly?: Great Sundew takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Great Sundew? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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