Why people love it
Starfish flower looks plain most of the year: a low clump of soft, green stems with blunt teeth along their edges. Then, in late summer or autumn, it opens flowers that look like they belong to another planet. Each one is a flat, five-pointed star, cream or yellow with dark red spots and a raised ring in the middle.
About the smell
The flowers smell like rotting meat. That’s on purpose: in the wild, flies pollinate them, and the smell tricks flies into visiting. The smell is strongest up close and on warm days, and each flower only lasts a few days. Many growers move the plant outdoors or to a less-used room while it’s flowering.
Care in a nutshell
- Bright light. Some direct sun helps it flower. In low light the stems get thin and floppy.
- Soak, then wait. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. The stems rot quickly in wet soil.
- Keep it warm and dry in winter. Water very little until spring.
Growing more
Snap off a stem where it joins the clump, let it dry for a few days, then set it on dry succulent mix. Water lightly once it roots. You can also split a large clump when you repot.
Watch out for
- Soft, black stem bases mean rot. Cut away the rotten part, let the healthy stems dry, and replant them in fresh, dry mix.
- No flowers usually means not enough light or a pot that’s too wet.
- Mealybugs can hide where stems meet the soil. See the pests guide.
Fun fact: Flies sometimes lay eggs on the flowers, fooled into thinking they’ve found rotting meat. The eggs can’t survive there.
