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Starfish flower in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Huernia macrocarpa

 

Starfish flower

Huernia are stem succulents with five-lobed, funnel or bell-shaped flowers often striped vividly in contrasting colours or tones, some glossy, others matt and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. The flowers attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion. Lifesaver plants can be grown as intriguing indoor, greenhouse or summer patio container plants almost anywhere and can be grown outdoors in warm-winter and Mediterranean climates.

 
plant Features
  • Starfish flower likes partial shade

    Partial shade

  • Starfish flower likes very little water

    Very little water

  • Starfish flower is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Starfish flower likes light and free draining

    Light and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Starfish flower

Latin name

Huernia macrocarpa

type

Succulent

family

Apocynaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Starfish flower likes partial shade

    Partial shade

  • Frost

    Starfish flower is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Starfish flower likes light and free draining

    Light and free draining

  • Water

    Starfish flower likes very little water

    Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Starfish flower is 0.35meters x 0.25meters 0.35 M 0.25 M

Huernia macrocarpa

Huernia are stem succulents with five-lobed, funnel or bell-shaped flowers often striped vividly in contrasting colours or tones, some glossy, others matt and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. The flowers attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion. Lifesaver plants can be grown as intriguing indoor, greenhouse or summer patio container plants almost anywhere and can be grown outdoors in warm-winter and Mediterranean climates.


Planting

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Mostly, Huernia are grown as houseplants. If purchased as a pot plant, re-pot in spring as necessary, using a shallow pot. A commercial cactus mixture plus a little added leaf mould is ideal. Put a layer of broken crocks in the bottom to improve drainage. It needs as much light as possible, but protect from direct sun during summer. It will tolerate normal temperatures in summer and can be put outdoors until early autumn. In winter keep at a minimum temperature of 10°C (50°F).

 

Propagation by cuttings

From Early Summer TO Mid Summer

You can take cuttings from early to mid-summer. Using a sharp knife, cut off healthy stems. Place on a sheet of paper and allow to dry for about 4 days before planting cuttings in individual pots of commercial cactus compost.

 
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