Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' is a low-maintenance plant that makes a living sculpture due to its unusual form.
Scientific Name
Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata'
Accepted Scientific Name
Stapelia grandiflora Masson
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Stapeliae
Genus: Stapelia
Description
Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' is a fascinating succulent that creates beautiful sculptural forms as it grows. The crested stems are fleshy, finely hairy, grey-green, with many slightly raised ribs lined with widely spaced tubercles. Each specimen has a unique shape and often can display mutated and normal growth at the same time.
The starfish-shaped flowers usually appear only on the normal growing stems. They are up to 8.8 inches (22 cm) across, typically have strongly recurved lobes, and appear in late summer and fall. The lobes are yellow with purple, becoming uniformly pink-purplish towards the tips, and have white hairs on the margins.
Origin
Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' is a form of Stapelia grandiflora selected for the mutated growth.
How to Grow and Care for Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata'
Light: Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' thrives in full sun or partial shade during the hottest summer days. Too much sun causes the stems to develop a protective pigmentation or get sunburned. Not enough light leads to weak, thin stems and fewer flowers. Indoors, place the plant near a sunny window in your home.
Soil: The right soil is crucial to growing a healthy plant. Use commercial soil for succulents, or prepare your own mix with 50 to 70 % mineral grit, such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite.
Temperature: This plant thrives in warm outdoor environments but does not like winter cold and should remain moderately dry and warm during its winter dormancy. Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C).
Watering: It has typical watering needs for a succulent. During the growing season, water your plant thoroughly and allow the soil to dry before watering again. The plant goes dormant in winter and needs almost no water, about once a month.
Fertilizing: To keep it thriving, fertilization during the growing season is a good idea. Feed with water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
Repotting: Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' will benefit from fresh potting soil every 2 or 3 years. Repot it in spring, just before the growing season starts. Pick a container with drainage holes.
Propagation: This plant is easy to propagate by stem cuttings. Take cuttings during the growing season to ensure good rooting.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Stapelia.
Toxicity of Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata'
Stapelia grandiflora 'Cristata' has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans.
Links
- Back to genus Stapelia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
