How do you take care of a starfish succulent?

The plant does need consistent moisture unlike its true cacti cousins. Starfish flowers also like to have crowded roots, so keep them in a 4- to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm.) pot with well-drained soil. Fertilize with a half dilution of indoor plant food in early spring.

What is the African starfish flower used for?

Starfish flower plants are often used for ornamental purposes, however they can also be used to attract irritating insects away from living areas.

How often does a starfish cactus bloom?

Starfish Cactus Bloom Time On average, you can expect a baby plant to bloom in two years with just one or two flowers. When it is mature, the plant will bloom successively in July to September in North America. They flower in November through March in South Africa where they are native.

Where do African starfish get their flowers?

South Africa
Species. Stapelia gigantea is a very variable species with the largest flowers in the genus ranging from 100-400 mm in diameter. It is the most widely north-south distributed species and occurs in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

How big does a starfish plant get?

They can get to about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) across and grow as long as 7 feet (2 m.). It grows in a fan shape with its stiff leaves arising from a basal rosette.

How fast does starfish plant grow?

It grows up to eight inches tall unless it’s putting up a flower spike. Growth occurs slowly, as the plant produces thick, round leaves. The leaves point upward in a fan pattern from one central rosette. With the right lighting conditions and occasional fertilizer, you can encourage the plant to grow faster.

Is a starfish plant a succulent?

Sansevieria ‘Starfish’ (Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Boncel’) is a succulent plant with short, fat, fleshy cylindrical leaves that taper to a point. This snake plant cultivar has leaves with grayish-green color and bands of darker green marks around the leaves.

How often should I water my starfish cactus?

This plant enjoys having its soil dry out between waterings. Watering every 1-2 weeks during the growing season is common. In the winter, water the plant once a month. Always allow excess water to drain through the holes in the bottom of the pot.

Why is my starfish cactus turning red?

The plant is coping with the extreme heat by producing a red pigment (carotenoids) on its foliage to protect itself from sunburn. We can call this ‘good stress’ because the plant is not being damaged by it but actually brings out the beauty and color of the plant.

Are starfish Sansevieria rare?

Starfish Sansevieria ‘Boncel’ plants are rare but worth searching for. They are a more compact hybrid of Sansevieria cylindrica, or snake plant, a more common succulent. The plant has fan-shaped, light green foliage with dark green concentric circles from the top to the bottom of the leaf.

When should I water my starfish?

Water starfish sansevieria plants only when the soil dries out. In summer, water the succulents every week or two. During winter, water starfish sansevieria infrequently—every month or even less. Waiting for the potting mix to dry before hydrating the soil ensures you don’t overwater the drought-tolerant plant.