Stapelia gigantea - Giant-flowered Stapelia / Starfish Flower

Stapelia gigantea is a spectacular collector's succulent, renowned for its unusually large, star-shaped flowers, which can grow much larger than the plant itself. The species is botanically accepted under the name Stapelia gigantea and is native to southern and southeastern Africa, where it grows in seasonal tropical and relatively dry regions. 

The plant forms compact clumps of green, succulent, erect or slightly arching stems with 4 well-defined ridges. Its appearance is highly decorative even outside the flowering period, but the true attraction is the large, star-shaped flower, ranging from cream-yellow to yellow-green, marked with reddish lines or spots and covered with fine hairs.

🌵 Botanical characteristics

• Botanical name: Stapelia gigantea
• Family: Apocynaceae
• Common names: Giant Stapelia, Starfish Flower, Giant Carrion Flower
• Plant type: perennial succulent, clump-forming
• Growth habit: compact, with numerous stems emerging from the base
• Stems: green, fleshy, 4-angled, approximately 12-25 cm long
• Color: cream-yellow to yellow-green, with burgundy-reddish markings
• Flowering: usually during the warm season, on sufficiently mature plants
• Growth rate: moderate
• Uses: collector's plant, pots, greenhouses, very bright interiors

🌸 Flowers and distinctive scent

The flowers of Stapelia gigantea are visually spectacular, but they have an important peculiarity: they can emit an intense smell resembling decaying organic matter, a natural adaptation through which the plant attracts pollinating insects.

For this reason, during the flowering period, the plant may be better suited to a terrace, balcony, or very well-ventilated space.

☀️ Growing conditions and care

• Light: prefers very bright light, with gentle sunlight or a few hours of direct sun
• Watering: reduced to moderate during the active period; the substrate should be allowed to dry well between waterings
• Substrate: very airy and fast-draining
• Winter: watering should be reduced considerably, especially if the plant is kept at lower temperatures
• Temperature: prefers warm temperatures during the growing season
• Cold tolerance: not frost-hardy; keeping it at temperatures above approximately 10°C is recommended for safe overwintering
• Humidity: prefers well-ventilated air and does not require high atmospheric humidity
• Fertilization: light, in spring and summer, with fertilizer intended for cacti and succulents

Excess water is one of the main risks when growing this plant, especially during cooler periods.

🌱 Secret Garden substrate recommendation

👉 For optimal development, we recommend Secret Garden Substrate for Cacti, Succulents & Adenium, an airy, well-draining mix suitable for plants sensitive to excess water.

➡️ View the product: https://secretgarden.ro/products/substrat-cactusi-suculente-adenium

For mature specimens, the substrate can be supplemented with mineral components such as pumice or volcanic lava for even better drainage.

✨ What makes it special

• produces impressively large flowers
• highly spectacular star-shaped form
• unusual coloring and texture
• exotic, collector's appearance
• forms lush clumps over time
• requires relatively little water
• decorative even without flowers
• one of the most spectacular Stapelia species

📌 Note

The size of the flowers, intensity of the colors, and reddish pattern may naturally vary from one flower to another.

The stems may show small scars, dry spots, localized color changes, or growth marks, especially on mature specimens. If the affected areas are firm and dry, these imperfections are generally cosmetic and do not affect the plant's viability.

Approximate height including pot: 15 cm

The plant is sold without flowers.