Orbea variegata
| Light | Bright, filtered light to light shade; avoid harsh midday sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regularly in the warm growing season, letting the mix dry between; keep nearly dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above about 5 °C; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic, though not a food plant |
Orbea variegata, commonly called the toad plant or starfish cactus, is a low, clump-forming stem succulent from South Africa and the classic member of the starfish-flower group. Despite the "cactus" nickname it is not a cactus at all but a member of the milkweed family Apocynaceae, and it is best known for its striking five-lobed, star-shaped flowers — thick, pale yellow and boldly mottled with dark reddish-brown — that give the whole Orbea genus its reputation among collectors.
Description
Orbea variegata forms low, spreading clumps of fleshy, four-angled stems a few centimetres tall, grey-green and often flushed purplish in strong light. The stems are toothed along their angles but soft and spineless, branching from the base to build up a mat over time.
The flowers are the main event. Borne near the base of the stems, each bloom is a flat, fleshy five-pointed star several centimetres across, yellow to cream and heavily blotched with dark maroon or brown, with a raised ring (the annulus) at the centre — the feature that gives the genus its name. Like many members of the group the flowers are pollinated by flies and can carry a faint carrion scent to attract them — a curiosity rather than a nuisance in most collections.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the coastal belt of South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape, roughly from Lambert's Bay in the west to the Humansdorp district in the east, where it grows in dry, rocky places — on stony slopes, outcrops and gravelly flats, often tucked among stones or sheltered by low shrubs. Across this range it spans both the winter-rainfall south-west and less strictly seasonal areas further east, and in cultivation it adapts readily to conventional watering.
Cultivation
Orbea variegata is one of the easiest stem succulents to grow and a good introduction to the group for a keen beginner. Give it a very free-draining, gritty mix in a shallow pot, and site it in bright light with a little shade from scorching midday sun — too much shade produces weak, etiolated growth and few flowers, while unrelenting sun can scorch the stems.
Water regularly through the warm growing season, always letting the mix dry out before watering again, and keep the plant nearly dry through the cool months. The commonest cause of loss is rot from overwatering or a soggy mix, especially in winter. See Watering and Repotting for general technique, and refer to the Orbea genus page for notes shared across its relatives.
Propagation
Propagation is very easy from stem cuttings. Detach a segment, let the cut end dry and callus for a few days, then set it on or just into a gritty mix and keep it barely moist until roots form. Established clumps can also simply be divided. Seed is possible where fresh seed can be obtained — the paired horn-like follicles release plumed seeds much like other milkweeds — but cuttings are faster and far more common. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — seed.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of failure, from overwatering, a poorly draining mix, or wet, cold winter conditions; affected stems turn soft and discoloured.
- Etiolation — too little light makes stems thin, pale and stretched, with sparse flowering.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff, often at the stem bases and roots) and the occasional aphid on developing flower buds are the main culprits. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Orbea — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases