Plant DetailShow Menu

Stapelia grandiflora

Previously known as:

  • Ceropegia grandiflora
  • Gonostemon grandiflorus
Phonetic Spelling
stah-PEEL-ee-ah gran-di-FLOR-ah
Description

The Starfish Cactus or Starfish Flower is a leafless, succulent herbaceous perennial from South Africa in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae). Its native habitat is the desert or arid shrubland. It is a cactus-like plant and has large showy starfish-shaped flowers. Although the plant is called the Starfish Cactus, it is not a cactus.

This plant forms a large compact cluster of stems up to 1.75 feet in diameter. The stems are four-angled, erect, 4 to 12 inches long, and about 1 to 1.6 inches thick. They appear soft, velvety, pale green to reddish, and have upright hooked tubercles along the ridges. The tubercles are small protuberances, but they are not prickly. Its flowers bloom in late summer to fall at the base of the plant. The flower buds look like an inflated balloon, but when they open they are star-shaped flowers. Its flowers are large, 6 to 8 inches wide, flat, deeply lobed, starfish-shaped in shades of reddish-brown to purple. The flower is malodorous and smells of rotting meat which makes them attractive to flies. The flies pollinate the flowers, then long, thin seed pods or follicles are produced. The seeds are very slow to ripen and may take up to 1 year. Upon maturity, the pods open. The seeds are attached to silky-like plumes that are scattered by the wind.

The Starfish Cactus thrives in full sun to partial shade, but it prefers partial shade in very hot climates. Select a growing medium that is recommended for cacti or succulents that will drain well and has a neutral pH. Well-drained soil  is required and overwatering needs to be avoided. It is best to allow the growing medium to dry out between waterings. This plant is winter hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. If planted outdoors, be sure to bring it inside before temperatures drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant likes to be rootbound; therefore, repotting may be needed about every 2 to 3 years.The plant may be propagated by seeds or stem cuttings.  

The Starfish Cactus requires minimal care. Consider this plant as an ornamental for a table, window sill, or hanging plant. If planted outdoors, consider planting in rock garden  or succulent garden. It is drought and poor soils tolerant. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Mealybugs are the main pest for succulent plants. Monitor for mealybugs, stapeliad snout beetles, and aphids. Overwatering that can result in root rot and rotting stems. If the odor from the flowers is intolerable indoors, some gardeners recommend moving the plant outdoors during the summer months during blooming.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cristata'
    Fleshy, fine hairs, grayish-green stems, starfish flowers are 9 in. across, lobes are yellow & purple with pinkish-purple tips
'Cristata'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#interesting flowers#succulent#low maintenance#multistemmed#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#poor drainage tolerant#dense growth#erect
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cristata'
    Fleshy, fine hairs, grayish-green stems, starfish flowers are 9 in. across, lobes are yellow & purple with pinkish-purple tips
'Cristata'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#interesting flowers#succulent#low maintenance#multistemmed#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#poor drainage tolerant#dense growth#erect
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Stapelia
    Species:
    grandiflora
    Family:
    Apocynaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Distribution:
    Native: Cape Provinces, Free State, Lesotho, and Northern Provinces; Introduced: India
    Wildlife Value:
    Malodorous flowers attract flies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Follicle
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are twin seed horns or follicles. The seeds are very slow to ripen, and it may take up to 1 year. When mature the pods open, and the seeds are attached to silky-like plumes that are scattered by the wind.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Its flowers are large, 6 to 8 inches wide, flat, deeply lobed, starfish-shaped in shades of reddish-brown to purple. The center of the flower has long purple hairs, and the petals are covered with long white hairs. The flowers are malodorous and attract flies.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The plant is essentially leafless.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are thick, fleshy, finely hairy, and pale green to reddish. They are 4-angled and erect, or decumbent with tubercles that are widely spaced. The stems grow up to 12 inches long and 1.6 inches thick.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Malodorous