Hairy Toad Plant Plant Care
Stapelia hirsuta L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stapelia hirsuta, common name starfish flower or carrion plant, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae.
Every 14–21 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hairy Toad Plant?
Water Hairy Toad Plant every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Hairy Toad Plant?
Hairy Toad Plant (Stapelia hirsuta) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Stapelia genus. Hairy Toad Plant is also known as Hairy Starfish Flower, Hairy Stapelia, Stapelia hirsuta.
Hairy Toad Plant displays a low clumping succulent growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Hairy Toad Plant produces large star-shaped flowers with unique patterns and strong odor.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hairy Toad Plant?
Stapelia hirsuta requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hairy Toad Plant Need?
Hairy Toad Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Hairy Toad Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Toad Plant Prefer?
Stapelia hirsuta grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Hairy Toad Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Toad Plant?
Well-draining succulent mix with added perlite and coarse sand. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Toad Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Toad Plant?
Feed Hairy Toad Plant every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Hairy Toad Plant?
Repot every 2-3 years in early 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 Hairy Toad Plant?
Hairy Toad Plant can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to carrion plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hairy Toad Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hairy Toad Plant, 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 Hairy Toad Plant?
Hairy Toad Plant 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hairy Toad Plant Need?
Hairy Toad Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Toad Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hairy Toad Plant 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 Stapelia genus — compare its care with other Stapelia species on PlantoScan.
Stapelia is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Hairy Toad Plant 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: Stapelia hirsuta L., family Apocynaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 217 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy Toad Plant, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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