An illustrated guide to rare plants. The rosette-shaped leaves are covered in sparkling mucus! "Drosera bulbosa"

"It looks cool, but it seems difficult to grow..." Thanks to advances in LED lights, it's now easier than ever to try growing plants like these. We've put together a collection of bizarre and attractive plants, including the bulbous Drosera, that are well suited to growing under LED lights.

This article is currently available as a special feature in the BRUTUS issue "Rare Plants" (on sale May 1, 2025). For more information, click here.

photo: Tetsuya Ito / text: Shogo Kawabata / special thanks: Masahiro Oshita

What is "bulbous Drosera"?

Bulbous Drosera is a group of carnivorous plants found mainly in Australia, but also in New Guinea and Japan. The Australian species are particularly popular for their beautiful rosette-shaped growth. They capture insects with mucus secreted from glandular hairs on their leaves and replenish their nutrients. During dry seasons, they survive by going dormant in their bulbs underground.

Drosera Rowley

This is a small species found in southwestern Australia, but this particular specimen is a particularly large one known as a "giant." It has many leaves and forms a beautiful rosette. It produces cute white flowers on short flower stalks.

Drosera Rowley
Drosera lowriei

Drosera scamosa

This popular species, found in southwestern Australia, features a beautiful pattern of contrasting red and green. Its individual variations, including color and leaf shape, are also appealing. This individual has green edges on its leaves.

Drosera scamosa
Drosera squamosa

Drosera browniana

This rare species is found only in a very limited area of Western Australia. Although small, it is covered in mucus, giving it a beautiful, shiny appearance. It has wine-red leaves and pink flowers. Bulbous Drosera generally has white or yellow flowers.

Drosera browniana
Drosera browniana

Drosera macrophylla

A large species found in southwestern Australia. Its large, round leaves have red stripes and long flower stalks. It produces a large number of flowers, making it a spectacular sight. There are also many variations depending on the place of origin.

Drosera macrophylla
Drosera macrophylla

Drosera zonaria

This beautiful species, found in southwestern Australia, grows into a rose-like rosette. Along with Scamosa, it is one of the two most popular bulbous Drosera species. Its bulbs grow deep, similar to Scamosa's, so it's best grown in deep pots.

Drosera zonaria
Drosera zonaria
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