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The Carrion Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
Gardening enthusiasts love adding unique, unusual plants to their collection, and the carrion plant is one such example.
Also known as the Starfish Flower or Corpse Lily, this plant gets its name from the strong odor it emits when it blooms.
In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide on carrion plant care tips so that you can add this fascinating plant to your garden.
What is a Carrion Plant?
The carrion plant (Stapelia gigantea) is a succulent native to South Africa.
It belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae and produces small star-shaped flowers that resemble sea stars.
These blooms have tiny hairs covering them that give them a velvety texture and are usually reddish-brown in color.
One of the most distinctive features of the carrion flower is its smell – when it blooms, it emits an odor similar to rotting flesh! This smell attracts flies for pollination purposes but may be unpleasant for some people.
Carrion Plant: How to Grow Them
- Light: Carrion plants prefer bright light but not direct sunlight.
They can be grown indoors or outdoors in well-draining soil.
- Soil: Use sandy or rocky soil with excellent drainage capabilities as these plants do not like sitting in standing water.
- Watering: Water your carrion plant sparingly during growing season (spring through fall), allowing soil to dry out between watering sessions.
- Fertilizing: You do not need much fertilizer for these low-maintenance plants; applying liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season is sufficient.
- Propagation: Carrion plants can be propagated by stem cuttings or from seeds.
Cuttings should be allowed to dry for a few days before planting to prevent rotting.
Carrion Plant Care Tips
If you want your carrion plant to thrive, here are some tips on how to care for it:
- Pot size: Choose a pot that is not too big as these plants prefer being root-bound.
A pot with drainage holes at the bottom will also ensure good drainage and prevent waterlogging.
- Temperature: Carrion plants prefer warm temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C -29°C).
- Pests and Diseases: These plants are generally pest-resistant but may attract mealybugs or scale insects.
Treat any infestations promptly with insecticidal soap.
In Conclusion
The carrion plant may have an unusual smell, but it certainly makes up for it in unique appeal! If you follow our care tips, this low-maintenance plant will add an interesting touch of texture and color to your garden.
So go ahead and give this strange yet charming plant a chance!
