Learn to grow stapelia, unique and collectible succulent houseplants with otherworldly flowers.
Stapeliasaresucculent houseplantswidely known for their outlandish, uniquely colored hairy flowers and pungent odor.
Where to Plant Stapelia
Stapelias are not hardy outdoors in most parts of the United States.
Credit: Thalia Romero
As with most succulents, overwatering leads to root rot and death.
Light
Stapelias grow in regions with intense sunlight.
Many can survive infull sun conditions.
Credit:Guenter Fischer / Getty Images
When grown as houseplants, they need bright indoor light to thrive.
Plants grown in full sun may develop a red or purple hue on the stems.
This red pigment helps protect the plant from sunburn.
Credit:Ed Golich
Soil and Water
Plant stapelia in gritty, well-drained,slightly alkaline soil.
Growing stapelia in small,shallow terracotta potsreduces excess moisture around the roots.
Water only when the soil is dry.
Credit:egadolfo / Getty Images
As with most houseplants,overwatering leads to rotand a premature demise.
The plants consume more water in summer than in spring and autumn.
Stop watering entirely in winter when the plant begins to go dormant.
During dormancy, the stems may shrink.
Only water the soil lightly during this time and ignore the urge to soak the soil.
It is common to go three to four (or more) weeks without watering during the dormant period.
If in doubt, dont water.
Temperature and Humidity
Plants thrive in 70F95F and low humidity.
Extremely high temperatures may slow or even stop growth, which resumes as the weather cools.
Dont fertilize stapelias in autumn or winter.
Even a tiny amount of rotting tissue can quickly spread and destroy the remainder of the plant.
Plants that have been heavily pruned need less water.
Potting and Repotting Stapelia
Stapelias can spend many years in thesame containerand rarely need to be repotted.
If the remaining healthy plant material includes roots, repot it in fresh potting medium.
Occasionally,mealybugssettle onto stapelias.
They are easy to identify and can be wiped away with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.
How to Propagate Stapelia
Stapelias are usually propagated through division or cuttings.
Plants in cultivation rarely set seed.
Separaterooted sectionsearly in the growing season and repot them immediately into appropriately small pots.
Grow them on as usual.
Cuttingsare best taken during the warm growing season in spring through summer.
Use a sharp,clean knife or pruning shearsto make clean stem cuts.
Allow the severed ends to dry and callous in a shady space, preferably indoors with good airflow.
The length of time varies from days to weeks, depending on the size of the stem.
Once the cut section has firmly calloused, place the stem piece lengthwise onto fast-draining growing media.
Barely moisten the soil mix, and then wait.
Rooting can take place in as few as several days but may take weeks or months.
Re-dampen the soil lightly and infrequently.
Most stapelias root readily from the side of the stem.
Add a clear plastic cover and place them in a warm place with bright, indirect light.
Vent the plastic every few days, and lightly moisten the soil as needed.
Seeds should germinate within one to two weeks.
Maintain these growing conditions until the plants are approximately 1 inch tall.
The massive flowers can reach more than 10 inches across and are cream-colored with thin red stripes.
This species is commonly available and particularly pungent when in bloom.
The flowers are variable, ranging from light red to a rich, dark maroon color.
The stems grow up to 12 inches long.
The starfish-shaped flowers reach 8 inches.
It is often sold asStapelia variegata, although the correct name is nowOrbea variegata.
This tiny, star-shaped stapelia grows only 46 inches tall and wide.
Be aware that the pungent odor attracts pollinators, including flies.
Stapelias and cacti are not the same.
Stapelias lack spines, one of the telltale signs of cactus.
However, they are succulents and are a member of theApocyanaceaefamily, which includesAsclepias(milkweed).
