Stapelia grandiflora
| Light | Bright light with some protection from harsh midday sun; tolerates light shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in warm growth, allowing the mix to dry between waterings; keep nearly dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty mineral-rich mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Warmth-loving; keep above about 10 °C, USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Stapelia grandiflora is a clump-forming succulent from southern Africa, grown for its dramatic, foul-smelling star flowers rather than its foliage. It produces erect, four-angled green stems and large maroon, star-shaped blooms fringed with fine purple hairs, a display that has earned it and its relatives the common name carrion flower or starfish flower. Like the rest of the genus, its flowers mimic rotting meat to attract flies as pollinators.
Description
Stapelia grandiflora forms low, spreading clumps of soft, fleshy stems that are leafless and typically four-angled, with toothed edges and a matte green surface that can flush purplish in strong light. The stems are erect to sprawling and root readily where they touch the soil, so a healthy plant slowly builds into a broad cushion.
The flowers are the main event. They are large, flat, five-lobed stars, deep maroon to brownish-red, with a finely wrinkled or ridged surface and long, silky purple hairs edging the lobes — heaviest around the margins. As is typical of the genus, the blooms give off a strong carrion odour that draws flies, the plant's natural pollinators. Buds swell dramatically before opening, and each flower lasts only a few days.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to South Africa, distributed widely but sparsely from the Great Karoo and Free State southward to the Eastern Cape, and extending into Lesotho. It grows in dry, open country — often in gritty or rocky ground, tucked among shrubs and grasses that provide light shade and a little protection from the fiercest sun. In habitat it endures long dry spells and takes advantage of seasonal rains for its growth.
Cultivation
Stapelia grandiflora is one of the easier stapeliads for a beginner and rewards a little warmth and restraint with reliable flowering. Grow it in a very free-draining, gritty mix in a shallow pot, in bright light with some shelter from scorching afternoon sun. Water regularly through the warm growing season, letting the mix dry out between waterings, then keep the plant nearly dry and warm through winter.
The most common cause of loss is rot from cold, damp conditions, so err on the side of dryness when temperatures fall. See Watering and Repotting for general technique. Because the clump spreads outward, it appreciates a wide, shallow container and periodic dividing.
Propagation
Propagation is easy from stem cuttings. Detach a healthy stem segment, let the cut surface dry and callus for a few days, then set it on or just into a gritty mix and water sparingly until it roots. Divisions of an established clump root just as readily. The species can also be raised from seed when the horned seed pods ripen, though cuttings are quicker and keep the parent's characteristics. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — offsets for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the main danger, usually from overwatering or cold, damp winter conditions; stems soften, discolour and collapse. Remove affected sections promptly and restart from a clean cutting if needed.
- Mealybugs — white cottony tufts hide in the stem angles and root zone; see Pests and diseases.
- Shrivelled, floppy stems — often a sign of underwatering in the growing season or a poor root system after rot.
- Flies and maggots — the carrion scent attracts flies, which may lay eggs on the blooms; harmless to a healthy plant but worth knowing before bringing it indoors in flower.
See also
- Stapelia — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — offsets · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases