How to Grow Starfish Flower Houseplants

Grow a cactus-like plant with an aquatic twist. This houseplant is really succulent, and grows large starfish shaped flowers. The flowers are beautiful, but they are also a bit stinky, so be careful where you keep your plant. Enjoy this odious and easily cared for Starfish Flower.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Grow the Starfish Flower in a clay pot that has good drainage. The houseplant resembles a cactus, but is really a succulent that enjoys its water at times.

2. Plant in sandy soil that drains quickly to prevent the roots from rotting. The Starfish can be kept in hanging baskets. Train it to cascade down with flowing flowers from the basket.

3. Keep your Starfish flower in full sun to partial shade. The blooms, which can grow as big as 18 inches across, mature well in warm sunny conditions.

4. Mist your succulent houseplant during the summer months when temperatures are warmer. Maintain a humid environment during the summer, and stop misting during the dryer winter months.

5. Protect your Starfish flowers from bugs. They like to lay eggs in the stinky flower, so watch for flies and bugs. Buy insecticides safe for indoor plants.

Tips & Warnings

• If the flower smells too much, put it in a cooler, shady area. It can also be removed if you just can't take the smell.
• Keep the plant away from drafty windows during winter months. It tolerates temperatures as low as 50 degrees F.
• Don't use a plastic container for your Starfish Flower. It needs to breath and drain properly. Clay will work best.
• Don't over-water. Cut back on watering in winter when the plant stays on the cooler side.

Resources

• Find out how to grow a healthy Starfish Flower.

[BBRae]

on 10/26/2008 I have one of these plants and we love it! We grew it out on the patio all summer, and now it is in the greenhouse, with three flowers. I have never noticed the smell, only the large black flies, but they only hang around for the first day.