• New
Spectacular starfish shapped flower of the Orbea variegata
  • Spectacular starfish shapped flower of the Orbea variegata
  • The very original flower of the starfish plant.
  • Orbea or Stapelia variegata
  • Orbea variegata, a perfect compact tropical plant.
  • Details on the flower of teh starfish cactus.
  • Orbea variegata
  • Orbea variegata,a perfect indoor tropical plant.

Starfish flower

€16.00
VAT included

Orbea variegata

Quantity

Payment in 3x or 4x with Alma from 90€

Fast and safe delivery throughout Europe
Fast and safe delivery throughout Europe
48 to 72 hours delivery
100 % grown in France
100 % grown in France
All our plants are grown from seeds in the Loire valley.
100% natural
100% natural
No chemical fertilizer or add on Plants’ growth cycle is respected Non-grafted, non-hybridized
Seedlings
Seedlings
We sell our plants young, so that they are both adaptable and affordable
Customized packaging
Customized packaging
All our boxes were designed especially for Rayon de Serre. 100% recycled and recyclable.
100% secure payment
100% secure payment
Payment in 3x or 4x with Alma from 90€

Caractéristiques de la plante

  • Orbea variegata : Starfish flower
  • Family:Apocynaceae
  • Origin : South Africa
  • Height in its natural environment : 15 cm
  • Hardiness : 5°C
  • Colour of the flower : yellow, brown with purple nuances

Les plants de Rayon de Serre

Taille des plantes Rayon de Serre Height : about 10 to 20 cm (depending on seasons)


croissance de la plante Slow grower

Plant description

Le mot de Rayon de Serre

Orbea variegata is a small succulent plant that won't take up much room in your home, but is sure to be noticed for its spectacular flowering!

This Starfish flower has neither leaves nor thorns, but only small stems that stand or creep upright and take care of photosynthesis. The stems can branch along their length, but prefer to multiply from the base, creating dense pots. They can take on reddish hues when exposed to intense direct sunlight. It's called a “Cactus”, but it's not a member of this family: like the Caralluma socotrana it's related to the Plumerias and Pachypodiums.

Orbea variegata, this Cactus, which is not a Cactus, is also nicknamed Starfish flower in reference to the shape of its flowers, splendid large stars spotted with yellow and brown, which are a real eye-catcher! They also attract pollinating insects with an unpleasant scent reminiscent of carrion, but fortunately, Orbea variegata emits only a very mild scent, which is easily forgiven by the beauty of its blooms! Its “starfish” appearance also comes from the resemblance of its stems to salicornia, a delicious seaside plant with an iodized taste..

Our Orbea grows in rocky soil and, unlike glasswort, hates water retention at the roots. We therefore need to provide it with a well-draining substrate, water sparingly, and give it a well-deserved winter rest, ideally in a frost-free, well-lit room, to encourage the appearance of flowers in the warmer season.

In short, a cactus that's not a cactus, a starfish that hates too much water, but a space-saving, original and spectacular houseplant!

Conseils de culture

Conseil de Culture Rayon de Serre

Rempoter ?
Arroser ?
Apport d'éléments nutritifs ?
Plante d'intérieur ou plante d'extérieur ?
Que faire en cas de maladie ?
-

Tous les conseils de culture en cliquant ici

Growing tips

Repotting

Repotting

When you receive your plant, repot it in a pot slightly larger than the bucket, which must be well pierced. Avoid pot covers which prevent residual water from draining away and encourage fungal diseases. Choose a fine potting soil, ideally with added perlite or sand to lighten the substrate (do not use garden soil or acidic soil such as heather). Then plan two repottings per year (spring and autumn), gradually increasing the size of the pot and adapting it to the size of the root network (the roots must have room, but not too much as the plant must be able to dry out its substrate between waterings). This avoids having to add fertilizer, which always risks burning the fragile roots of the plants and making the plant wither as soon as the fertilizer is stopped.

Watering

Watering

Moderate watering: watering should be copious (the whole root ball should be wet), but wait until the substrate has dried deeply before watering again (you can stick your finger in the soil: as long as you feel moisture, do not water). Your plant will recover better from a lack of water than from an excess of water. Always water at the base of the plant, and do not mist it, because stagnant water in the armpit of the leaves favors cryptogamic diseases. If your atmosphere is too dry, put bowls of water nearby (above radiators for example), so that evaporation humidifies the air.

For an indoor planting

For an indoor planting

Your plant is best taken out in summer, full sun is perfect for it. It should be brought indoors in winter, and ideally placed in a warm and luminous place, like in a veranda or behind a window. It fears excessive humidity when temperatures are low, so avoid cold rooms. Attention: do not take it out and bring it in all the time, it should be taken out in good weather, then brought in when the cold weather arrives, because plants adapt their foliage to their environment, which should not constantly change. It often happens that plants lose their foliage when they are taken out and/or put in, don't worry, your plant will adapt and will emit its new foliage accordingly.

For an outdoor planting

For an outdoor planting

This plant is not frost and/or cold resistant and should not be planted outside except in limited parts of Southern Europe.

Pruning

Pruning

This plant can not be pruned If you feel that it is becoming too bulky, you can limit its growth by continuing to repot it and change its substrate but without increasing the size of the pot. If the root network becomes too important, do not hesitate to prune the roots.

In case of pest attack

In case of pest attack

If your plants are under attack by aphids or other pests, the best way to control them is by hand. Change their soil, remove as many undesirables as possible by hand and then shower your plants with a strong stream of water to eliminate any eggs that may be present. Spray them (insist on the underside of the leaves) with liquid black soap diluted in water. Repeat the operation several times at a few days interval. Take them outside in good weather, rain, sun and wind will kill most of the aggressors!

Rayon de Serre's word

Rayon de Serre's word

Beware of too much water: they can't stand water retention at the roots.

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