Stapelia mutabilis

Carrion Flower
Corral-head like growth. Starfish flowers look cool, smell bad. Nice indoors. Big flower on a small plant.
height 4–6in
width 1–2ft
tolerates Drought, Heat, Pots
water
needs		 Low
water
info		 This stapelia is from arid areas of East Africa and as such likes to go totally bone dry between waterings, making it very low-maintenance. To get good healthy growth your plant doesn’t want to sit around totally dried out during its growing season. Once it is dry, water it.

This plant comes from an area with summer rainfall and is actively growing during that time, when it is forgiving of overwatering errors. During winter dormancy it should be kept extra dry and won’t tolerate overwatering.

Remember that if kept in a small pot your plant will want more frequent watering.
hardy
to		 30F
exposure Full Sun – Part Shade
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose 1/2 Strength
origin Hybrid, South Africa
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 13, 22–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

Stems fall to the ground as this plant grows, rooting and forming a dense colony. As such this plant is fairly easy to root (though you’ll want to be sure any stem cuts dry for ten days to two weeks first) and often you’ll see little white bumps low on stems, that are roots beginning to form. It’s also very easy to just divide off a section of the colony that already has roots.
Typically doesn’t need much maintenance, besides picking up the spent flowers.
When exposed to harsh sun, stems often take on a reddish purple hue.
Appreciates heat, especially during the summer. If in the marine influence areas of coastal California be sure to put this plant in a sunny protected spot.

Special Interest

The common name carrion flower refers to this plants pungent flowers that range in description from a stinky cheese to rotting meat. This adaptation helps the plant attract pollinating flies. Don’t worry though, the smell is amusing at best and only intense when you put your nose right up in the flowers. If you want to play a dirty trick on your friends ask them to smell this lovely flower when they come to visit; this always prompts lively conversation!

This plant does attract flies (when outdoors) so take that into consideration. One of our friends loves keeping his in a pot near his carnivorous plants. The stapelias lure them in and the carnivores take them down!