Grow Light for Stapelia: Starfish Flower Blooms Indoors
A grow light for stapelia helps this South African succulent flower in a room without a sunny window. Its star shaped blooms can reach 10 inches across.
The short answer
Give stapelia a bright sunny spot or a grow light within 12 inches for 12 to 16 hours. NC State lists full sun to part shade. University of Arizona says to water sparingly in a sandy mix. UF/IFAS notes that full sun turns the stems bronze.
How much light does stapelia need?
University of Arizona Extension suggests a bright sunny spot indoors. NC State rates it for full sun to part shade. UF/IFAS suggests light shade and notes stems turn bronze in full sun. Iowa State says succulents need ten or more hours of light a day indoors.
A sunny window works indoors and light shade avoids bronze stems. A grow light fills in a dim spot.
How do you set up a grow light?
Iowa State runs LED or fluorescent grow lights within 12 inches of succulents for 12 to 16 hours on a timer. Minnesota Extension sets cool white or daylight tubes 6 to 12 inches over succulents for 14 to 16 hours. For flowering houseplants, Minnesota Extension’s lighting page suggests 6 to 12 inches and notes that LEDs do not produce too much heat.
| Option | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|
| LED panel | Low heat | Lighting for indoor plants and starting seeds, UMN Extension |
| Fluorescent tube | 6 to 12 inches above the plants | Cacti and succulents, UMN Extension (houseplants) |
| Timer | Runs 12 to 16 hours each day | Common Problems and Issues of Succulents, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard and Garden |
How do you get starfish flowers to bloom?
NC State lists blooms 6 to 8 inches wide at the base of Stapelia grandiflora from late summer to fall. University of Arizona notes that S. gigantea flowers in late summer and is pollinated by flies. UF/IFAS lists blooms in winter for that species. Each advises against wet soil.
Arizona suggests two parts sand to one part mineral soil. Give it a dry winter and repot every 2 to 3 years.
Troubleshooting
Pale stretched growth: weak light. Lower the lamp or add hours.
Brown or tan patches: light raised too quickly. Lift the lamp and increase light by degrees.
Soft yellow growth: overwatering. Hold off on water until the mix dries.
Kind Seed Co shares these plant notes for growers of all kinds. For more on lighting see grow lights for cannabis and led light distance cannabis. Read grow light timers for timer setups. Browse cannabis seeds for our seed range.
Sources
- Backyard Gardener #186 Stapelia Plant, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Carrion Flower, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions
- Stapelia grandiflora (Carrion Flower, Carrion Plant, Giant Toad Plant, Giant Zulu, Starfish Cactus, Starfish Flower), North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Lighting for indoor plants and starting seeds, UMN Extension
- Common Problems and Issues of Succulents, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Yard and Garden
FAQ
Why does stapelia smell?
University of Arizona Extension says the flower smells like rotting meat to draw the flies that pollinate it.
How many hours of light does it need?
Iowa State suggests 12 to 16 hours a day for succulents under grow lights.
When does stapelia bloom?
NC State lists late summer to fall for Stapelia grandiflora. UF/IFAS lists winter bloom for S. gigantea.
Is stapelia a cactus?
No. NC State says it is not a cactus. University of Arizona places it in the dogbane family with milkweeds.
Why are my stapelia stems turning bronze?
UF/IFAS notes that stems turn bronze in full sun. Light shade holds the green color.
