The sundews are one of the largest groups of carnivorous plants on earth, with more than 250 species distributed across every continent except Antarctica. Eight native taxa grow in the southeastern United States, typically in bogs, fens, and marshes where the soil is so nutrient-poor that capturing insects has become a more reliable source of nitrogen than the ground itself. The genus name comes from the Greek for dewy, describing the glistening droplets that cling to the glandular hairs of each leaf throughout the day, attracting small insects that land and are held fast, then slowly digested. The leaves themselves vary by species — spoon-shaped, strap-shaped, or linear — and range in color from yellow-green to deep red depending on light levels.

Cultivation is more straightforward than reputation suggests. Most species grow readily in a nutrient-poor peat and sand mix, kept consistently moist and in full sun. The two rules that cannot be bent are: no fertilizer, ever, and no tap water. Rainwater or distilled water only — the minerals in tap water accumulate and damage the plants over time. Some species from South Africa and Australia require summer dormancy and may be difficult to maintain outside a greenhouse in warmer American climates, so research the specific species before purchasing. These are plants that earn their place in a bog garden, a rain garden, or simply a container by a sunny window, where they function as genuine curiosities that reward close attention.