Huernia loeseneriana Stapelia Starfish Flower – Collection No. 13

Huernia loeseneriana is a compact South African stapeliad with thick, angular stems that can develop attractive pink and purple colouring under brighter light.

Its star-shaped flowers have a pale cream background covered with intricate reddish-purple lines. A deeper central tube and dark corona give the flowers considerable detail when viewed closely. The scent is rated as mild.

Plant Supplied

You will receive an established plant of Huernia loeseneriana growing in a 66 mm pot. The plant photographs show the current stock. The flower photograph shows the mature bloom for identification and reference. Plants are not necessarily supplied in flower.

Important Shipping Information

These plants are extremely brittle. Please purchase expecting the plant to move, come out of its pot or have some stems detach during transport.

Although your plant will be dispatched in a pot, it should be treated as effectively bare-rooted during delivery. Huernia and related stapeliads have fleshy stems and relatively shallow root systems. Disturbed potting mix, a loose plant or detached stems can occur despite careful packing.

Please be prepared to reposition or repot the main plant and to pot any healthy stems that detach. Allow detached stems to dry and seal before placing them into a dry, free-draining succulent mix. Do not immediately water freshly detached stems.

This is a normal characteristic of these plants and does not generally affect their health. However, if your plant arrives crushed, soft, blackened or with extensive damage, please photograph it immediately and contact us.

Care

• Light: Bright filtered light or gentle morning sun. Protect from intense afternoon sun.
• Water: Water when the mix has dried during active growth. Keep much drier during winter and cold weather.
• Temperature: Warm-growing. Protect from frost and prolonged cold, wet conditions.
• Media: Use a gritty, very free-draining succulent mix.
• Fertiliser: Apply a diluted, low-nitrogen fertiliser during active growth.

Key Characteristics

• Botanical name: Huernia loeseneriana
• Collection number: 13
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Origin: South Africa
• Flower colour: Cream with fine reddish-purple lines
• Flower form: Five-pointed star with a deep central tube
• Smell rating: Mild
• Growth habit: Compact, upright and clump-forming
• Stem colour: Green with pink, bronze or purple tones under brighter light
• Pot size: 66 mm