Starfish Flower Plant Care
Orbea ciliata (Thunb.) L.C.Leach
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Orbea ciliata, called the starfish stapelia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. A succulent, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Starfish Flower?
Starfish Flower grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Starfish Flower Native To?
What Is the Starfish Flower?
Starfish Flower (Orbea ciliata) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Orbea genus. Starfish Flower is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa.
Starfish Flower displays a low clumping succulent growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Starfish Flower produces star-shaped flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Starfish Flower Need?
Starfish Flower thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Starfish Flower in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Starfish Flower?
Well-draining succulent mix with sand and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Starfish Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Starfish Flower?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Starfish Flower?
Starfish Flower can be propagated through stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to carrion plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Starfish Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Starfish Flower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Starfish Flower?
Starfish Flower is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Starfish Flower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Orbea genus — compare its care with other Orbea species on PlantoScan.
Orbea is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Starfish Flower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Orbea ciliata (Thunb.) L.C.Leach, family Apocynaceae (first published in Kirkia 10: 291 (1975)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Starfish Flower, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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