Carrion Flower (Stapelia gigantea) — Giant Starfish Blooms with Wild, Wow-Factor Style

Want a houseplant that sparks stories the second it blooms? We’ve got you. Carrion Flower (Stapelia gigantea) grows like a tidy succulent most of the year—then opens huge, star-shaped flowers that look like velvet starfish. The petals are creamy yellow with fine maroon stripes and soft hairs. They can span a full dinner plate. The scent is bold (think: earthy, musky, like “nature’s compost”) because the plant invites flies to visit for pollination. In other words, it’s a showstopper with a sense of humor.

If you’re craving a plant that is easy most days and epic on bloom day, this is it.

Why We Love Stapelia gigantea

This plant checks three boxes: sculptural form, low care, and a bloom you never forget. The stems are four-angled, blue-green, and soft to the touch—no needles, just gentle ridges. They branch into dense clumps that look clean on a shelf. Then one day, thick buds swell at the base of the stems and—boom—giant flowers open like desert fireworks.

But most of all, care is simple. Bright light, fast-draining soil, and deep but rare waterings. That’s the rhythm. After more than a few seasons, we’ve learned a simple truth: if you give Stapelia a sunny window and keep its roots dry, it will reward you with drama on cue.

Quick Specs

• Common name: Carrion Flower, Giant Zulu Star

• Botanical name: Stapelia gigantea

• Type: Succulent, warm-season bloomer

• Mature size (container): 8–14" tall clump; flowers 8–12"+ across

• Light: Bright, indirect to a few hours of gentle sun (east or bright south window)

• Water: Infrequent, deep soak; allow mix to dry between waterings

• Soil: Fast, gritty cactus/succulent mix with excellent drainage

• Hardiness: Best indoors except Zones 10–11; protect from frost

• Bloom time: Late summer to fall with good light

• Pet/people note: Non-spiny stems; as with all houseplants, keep out of reach and wash hands after handling

The Famous Flower (Yes, About the Smell)

Let’s talk bloom day. The star is huge, fuzzy, and striped—like a desert sea creature. The scent is how Stapelia calls in its pollinators (flies). It is strongest up close and often fades after a day or two. Place the plant where you can admire the flower and still give it a bit of air flow. A nearby open window or a porch visit during peak fragrance works great.

In other words, the smell is part of the show. It’s nature doing clever marketing.

Light: Bright, Not Brutal

• Indoors: A bright east window or a south window with filtered sun is perfect. If stems stretch or turn soft green, it wants more light. If tips bleach, add a sheer curtain.

• Outdoors (warm seasons): Morning sun, afternoon shade. Acclimate over 7–10 days to avoid scorch.

• Rotation: Quarter-turn the pot every week for even shape.

Water: Deep and Infrequent

Think desert rhythm. Water thoroughly until it drains, then wait until the mix is fully dry before watering again. In bright warmth, this may be every 2–3 weeks. In winter, it can be longer.

• Signs you’re early: Stems feel turgid and glossy—wait.

• Signs you’re late: Slight wrinkling or mild pucker—time to water.

• Winter rest: Cooler nights + less water help set buds for late summer/fall.

Soil & Pot: Drainage Wins

• Mix: Use a cactus blend with extra grit—aim for 50–70% mineral (pumice, coarse perlite, or lava) plus 30–50% quality cactus soil.

• Pot: Terracotta or unglazed clay helps the root zone breathe. Always use a drainage hole.

• Repotting: Every 1–2 years in spring. Size up only one step; snug roots bloom better.

Instead of packing soil tight, settle it gently and leave a little gap at the rim for clean watering.

Feeding: Go Light

Feed at half strength with a balanced cactus fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Skip feeding in fall and winter. Variegation isn’t a factor here, but slow, sturdy growth is the goal. Less is more.

Bloom Tips We Use

• Bright days, coolish nights: Warm days with nights 10–15°F cooler encourage buds.

• Right-sized pot: Slightly root-bound plants flower more.

• Dry breaks: Letting the mix dry between waterings keeps roots healthy and signals the season.

• Summer vacation: A protected porch with bright morning sun can trigger big displays.

Styling Ideas

• Modern shelf piece: One terracotta pot + ivory gravel top-dress = gallery vibes.

• Conversation bowl: Low, wide planter with lava rock and a single clump of Stapelia as the star.

• Oddity trio: Pair with Haworthia and a small Euphorbia for a sculptural set.

• Bloom showcase: When buds swell, move the pot to a coffee table for 48 hours of “wow,” then return it to the bright window.

Common Problems (and Quick Fixes)

• Soft, dark base = early rot
  Cause: Overwatering or dense soil.
  Fix: Unpot, trim to healthy tissue, dust with sulfur or cinnamon, repot in dry, gritty mix, wait 7–10 days before watering.

• Stretched, floppy stems
  Cause: Low light.
  Fix: Move to brighter exposure; rotate weekly.

• No blooms
  Cause: Too little light, oversized pot, constant moisture, or no day/night contrast.
  Fix: Increase light, hold water until dry, use a snug pot, and give cooler nights.

• Pests (mealybugs, scale)
  Tell: Cottony tufts in stem notches or tiny brown bumps.
  Fix: Isolate; dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; follow with insecticidal soap if needed. Improve airflow and light.

Propagation: Easy, Clean, Reliable

1. Select a healthy arm and cut with a sterile blade.

2. Callus 5–10 days in bright, indirect light.

3. Set into dry, gritty mix (do not water yet).

4. Wait 10–14 days, then mist the soil edge lightly.

5. Begin sparse watering once new firmness or roots appear.

Cuttings root readily when patience leads the way.

What You’ll Receive

We ship a well-rooted Carrion Flower (Stapelia gigantea) in its nursery pot—multi-stemmed and ready to grow. Buds and flowers are seasonal; the plant focuses on roots and stems first, then blooms when conditions are right.

• Approximate shipped size: 6–10" tall clump

• Pot: Nursery pot with fast-draining succulent mix (decorative cover pot optional)

• Arrival care: Unpack, place in bright light, and hold off watering for 5–7 days to settle in

Where to Place It (and When to Showcase It)

Keep it in bright light away from high-traffic bumps. On bloom day, set it where everyone can admire the star—entry console, coffee table, or porch table. After the show, move it back to its bright window so new stems can thicken and the next buds can set.

Desert Oddity, Ready to Wow — Bring Home the Giant Star Today