Huernia zebrina var. magniflora Stapelia Starfish Flower – Collection No. 37

Huernia zebrina var. magniflora is the large-flowered form of the well-known Lifesaver Plant. It produces striking cream and reddish-brown striped flowers with a raised, glossy burgundy ring in the centre.

The angular succulent stems form compact clumps and can develop pink, bronze or purple colouring when grown in brighter light. Despite its dramatic appearance, the flower has a very mild scent.

Plant Supplied

You will receive an established plant of Huernia zebrina var. magniflora 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 zebrina var. magniflora
• Common name: Large-flowered Lifesaver Plant
• Collection number: 37
• Common group: Stapelia or Starfish Flower
• Flower colour: Cream with reddish-brown zebra-like stripes
• Flower form: Large five-pointed flower with a raised glossy burgundy ring
• Flower size: Large-flowered form, potentially reaching approximately 8 cm across
• Smell rating: Very mild
• Growth habit: Compact, branching and clump-forming
• Stem colour: Green to pink, bronze or purple depending on light
• Pot size: 66 mm