Stapelia rubiginosa

A stem-succulent carrion flower from Little Namaqualand and the lower Orange River area of South Africa, one of the driest parts of the genus' range. Grow it in very bright light in a fast-draining mineral mix, water sparingly in the warm months and keep it almost dry and cool in winter to avoid stem rot.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry

Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

Stapelias typically grow among stones or in the shelter of small shrubs on arid rocky slopes and flats. Species detail is thin; this follows the genus and the measured arid climate.

The two measured sites are low, at about 170–470 m in the lower Orange River valley.

South Africa

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

Grow Stapelia rubiginosa? Add it to a free garden and its full profile opens. Pro opens all 38,374 profiles in the library, plants and fungi.

Start free Sign in

More Stapelia

Stapelia hirsuta Stapelia gigantea Stapelia grandiflora Stapelia leendertziae Stapelia flavopurpurea Stapelia pearsonii Stapelia acuminata Stapelia arenosa Stapelia asterias Stapelia cedrimontana Stapelia clavicorona Stapelia concinna All 31 →

Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.