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L E A F SU P P LY
STAPELIA GRANDIFLORA
L I G H T
WA T E R S O I L
Bright, indirect
Low
Sandy + coarse
STARFISH C ACTUS Beautiful, but a little hard on the nose, this fast-growing, upright succulent has developed an interesting technique to attract insects. Similar in some respects to carnivorous plants (but not actually meat-eaters), their spectacular flowers emit the stench of rotten meat, which encourages flies to land and pollinate. It’s best to enjoy the spectacle of their blooms from a safe distance! So, popping your Starfish cactus on a high shelf when it’s flowering is a good idea. Although generally low maintenance, Stapelia are susceptible to pests in their roots so ensure that the soil is very well-draining and water with a good systemic insecticide, added as needed. In winter, hold off watering altogether.
L I G H T Bright, indirect direct WA T E R Low S O I L Sandy + coarse
MAMMILLARIA BOCASANA
POWDER PUFF C ACTI A super-sweet species of cacti with over 200 varieties, you’ll have no trouble finding the right Mammillaria for you. Hailing from the deserts of southwest USA and Mexico, these low-growing barrelshaped cacti are a care-free addition to your indoor garden. Pretty and petite, they grow anywhere from 1–40 cm (½–16 in) tall and 1–20 cm (½–8 in) wide. In addition to their delightful shape, they produce a beautiful crown of pink or purple flowers, capping off what is a wonderful little cactus. Suspending watering during the depths of winter will encourage those beautiful blooms.
SUCC U L E N T S + C AC T I
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