Stapelia gigantea

Starfish flower

Stapelias, which are native to South Africa, have succulent stems with four ribs that have toothed edges, and which branch to form clumps. The flowers are large and star-shaped. Stapelia gigantea flowers are, as the name suggests, large - up to 35 cms. (14") across, pale yellow in colour, and with fine dark red, hairy lines across the petals.

Contributed by @sopcica

plant Features

Full sun to partial shade
Very little water
Not Frost hardy
Light and free draining

plant information

Common name

Starfish flower

Latin name

Stapelia gigantea

type

Succulent

family

Apocynaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

Light

Full sun to partial shade
Frost

Not Frost hardy

Soil

Light and free draining
Water

Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Starfish flower is 0.35meters x 0.20meters

0.35 M 0.20 M

Stapelia gigantea

Propagation by cuttings

From Early Summer TO Mid Summer

You can take cuttings from early to mid-summer. Using a sharp knife, cut off healthy stems. Place on a sheet of paper and allow to dry for about 4 days before planting cuttings in individual pots of commercial cactus compost.

Planting

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Mostly, stapelia are grown as houseplants. If purchased as a pot plant, re-pot in spring as necessary, using a shallow pot. A commercial cactus mixture plus a little added leaf mould is ideal. Put a layer of broken crocks in the bottom to improve drainage. It needs as much light as possible, but protect from direct sun during summer. It will tolerate normal temperatures in summer and can be put outdoors until early autumn. In winter keep at a minimum temperature of 10°C (50°F).

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