Stapelia gigantea

RHS Plant Profile

giant stapelia

RHS 1965

Synonyms

Stapelia nobilis

Cactus Succulent

A succulent evergreen perennial to 20cm in height, with erect, 4-angled stems and foul-scented but spectacular, starry, buff-yellow flowers lined with dark red, to 35cm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Stapelia are succulent perennials with erect, angled, toothed fleshy stems and showy, star-shaped flowers usually unpleasantly scented, in summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Africa to Tanzania

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based compost and grit. Top dress with grit. Provide full light with with shade from hot sun. Grow outdoors in gritty sharply drained soil in full sun in frost-free area

Propagation

Propagate by seed or separate rooted sections

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to black root rot