Stapelia
Carrion flower, Starfish flower
- Height × spread
- 0.25m – 0.25m × 0.2m – 0.2m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There were around 100 species of these curious, often fascinating, succulent plants. They come from various parts of Africa and Eastern India. The genus has been divided into around 16 different species, nearly all of which are unlikely to be seen on the domestic windowsill, being more often seen in professional collections, perhaps in dedicated greenhouses. They are renowned for their spectacular, often very large, very fleshy, very smelly flowers. The smell imitates that of carrion since they are pollinated by flies. The flowers may also simulate the colour of rotting flesh and are curiously beautiful. They have fleshy four-angled stems, often with toothy edges and are of small or modest size. Many of them can be difficult to grow and are only for the specialist.
- Flower colour
- Red, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.25m – 0.25m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.2m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.
Winter · Outdoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost + grit for repotting
Use a free draining loam based compost rather than one which has been modified to be 'moisture retentive'.
Alternatively prepare a compost using three parts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3) to one part of (horticultural) sand or fine (horticultural) grit.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).