{"product_id":"stapelia-gigantea","title":"Stapelia gigantea - Giant-flowered Stapelia \/ Starfish Flower","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStapelia gigantea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStapelia gigantea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is native to southern and southeastern Africa, where it grows in seasonal tropical and relatively dry regions. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌵 Botanical characteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStapelia gigantea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFamily:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Apocynaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon names:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Giant Stapelia, Starfish Flower, Giant Carrion Flower\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlant type:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e perennial succulent, clump-forming\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth habit:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e compact, with numerous stems emerging from the base\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStems:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e green, fleshy, 4-angled, approximately 12-25 cm long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cream-yellow to yellow-green, with burgundy-reddish markings\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e usually during the warm season, on sufficiently mature plants\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth rate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUses:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e collector's plant, pots, greenhouses, very bright interiors\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌸 Flowers and distinctive scent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStapelia gigantea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e are visually spectacular, but they have an important peculiarity: they can emit an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eintense smell resembling decaying organic matter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a natural adaptation through which the plant attracts pollinating insects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor this reason, during the flowering period, the plant may be better suited to a terrace, balcony, or very well-ventilated space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e☀️ Growing conditions and care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e prefers very bright light, with gentle sunlight or a few hours of direct sun\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWatering:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e reduced to moderate during the active period; the substrate should be allowed to dry well between waterings\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e very airy and fast-draining\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e watering should be reduced considerably, especially if the plant is kept at lower temperatures\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e prefers warm temperatures during the growing season\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCold tolerance:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e not frost-hardy; keeping it at temperatures above approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is recommended for safe overwintering\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHumidity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e prefers well-ventilated air and does not require high atmospheric humidity\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e light, in spring and summer, with fertilizer intended for cacti and succulents\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcess water is one of the main risks when growing this plant, especially during cooler periods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌱 Secret Garden substrate recommendation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e👉 For optimal development, we recommend \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecret Garden Substrate for Cacti, Succulents \u0026amp; Adenium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an airy, well-draining mix suitable for plants sensitive to excess water.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e➡️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eView the product:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/secretgarden.ro\/products\/substrat-cactusi-suculente-adenium\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehttps:\/\/secretgarden.ro\/products\/substrat-cactusi-suculente-adenium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor mature specimens, the substrate can be supplemented with mineral components such as pumice or volcanic lava for even better drainage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✨ What makes it special\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eproduces impressively large flowers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehighly spectacular star-shaped form\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunusual coloring and texture\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eexotic, collector's appearance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eforms lush clumps over time\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003erequires relatively little water\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003edecorative even without flowers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eone of the most spectacular Stapelia species\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📌 Note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe size of the flowers, intensity of the colors, and reddish pattern may naturally vary from one flower to another.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe stems may show \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esmall scars, dry spots, localized color changes, or growth marks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximate height including pot: 15 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant is sold without flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Floraria Secret Garden (SG)","offers":[{"title":"8.5 cm pot","offer_id":57548111937862,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"RON","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0558\/5551\/3798\/files\/stapeliagigantea.jpg?v=1791444297","url":"https:\/\/secretgarden.ro\/en\/products\/stapelia-gigantea","provider":"Secret Garden Plant Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}