Zulu giant (Stapelia gigantea)
Discover Stapelia gigantea, the Zulu giant, featuring massive, star-shaped flowers and drought tolerance for hot, sunny gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Stapelia gigantea, widely known as the Zulu giant, is a fascinating, spine-free succulent that brings dramatic scale to succulent collections. Its primary allure lies in its extraordinary bloom: star-shaped flowers that can reach up to 16 inches across, making it one of the largest flowers in the plant world. While the flower aroma is often described as resembling rotting meat, attracting its fly pollinators, the unusual textural stems and sheer flower size command attention for dedicated gardeners.
This herbaceous perennial thrives in challenging conditions, demonstrating excellent tolerance once established. Native to the dry areas of Southern Africa, the Stapelia gigantea requires significant sunlight and very well-drained soil to flourish and produce its spectacular fall display. Gardeners who appreciate eccentricity and low water needs in their landscaping will find the Zulu giant a satisfying, if slightly aromatic, addition.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Apocynaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: South Africa
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.5-1 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: September to October
- Bloom Description: Pale ochre-yellow with maroon lines
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting the Zulu giant should occur when winter temperatures are reliably safe, ideally in spring or early summer in USDA Zones 9 and above. Choose a location receiving full sun and ensure the soil is highly fertile, well-drained, and mixes well with grit or sand to prevent water retention. New plants benefit from slightly more consistent watering to encourage initial root establishment.
Established Stapelia gigantea plants are notably drought-tolerant and prefer their soil to approach dryness between waterings. Fertilizing is rarely necessary; excess feeding can lead to soft, less robust growth. Propagation is exceptionally easy via stem cuttings or simple division, allowing you to expand your collection quickly.
For winter care where temperatures dip near the hardiness limit, allow the plants to experience cool nighttime temperatures between 50–55°F while significantly reducing water intake. If growing indoors in cooler climates, position your Stapelia gigantea in a bright, sunny window. Should the fragrant flowers become problematic indoors, they can be promptly snipped off.
Landscape Uses
For gardeners in suitably warm regions (Zones 9-10), the Zulu giant functions excellently as a unique groundcover, its scrambling, low-growing stems softening hard edges. It is perfectly suited for rock gardens where sharp drainage is naturally provided by the terrain. Furthermore, its striking habit and cultural needs align perfectly with xeric garden designs focused on water conservation.
Where winter hardiness is uncertain, grow the Stapelia gigantea in containers. This allows portability, moving the succulent indoors near a sunny window during cold spells. In containers, pair it with sharp-draining rock mixes and other succulents that share a dry, sunny environment, such as certain euphorbias or aloes, ensuring the trailing stems cascade attractively over the pot edges.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The defining feature of Stapelia gigantea is its immense, fleshy, five-pointed star-shaped flower, which can measure over a foot wide and displays pale ochre-yellow coloration traced with maroon lines. This plant is a member of the milkweed family, not cactus, and its common name, Carrion Plant, derives from the strong, malodorous scent flowers emit during their fall bloom to attract fly pollinators. The upright, four-angled succulent stems grow low, reaching about 8 to 12 inches tall before scrambling sideways, creating an interesting textural contribution year-round.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
The Zulu giant generally experiences few significant insect or disease issues when grown in its preferred dry, sunny conditions. However, like many succulents, it is susceptible to infestation by mealybugs, which may congregate in the crevices where the stems meet. Check plants regularly, especially new growth, and treat any sightings promptly with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to control populations before they become substantial problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Zulu giant suitable for?
The Stapelia gigantea is hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 10, thriving where winter temperatures rarely dip below freezing.
How large does Zulu giant grow?
This species typically reaches heights between 0.5 and 1 foot tall, spreading outward to cover 1 to 2 feet wide in the garden.
What sun exposure does Stapelia gigantea need?
For best flowering and robust stem health, Stapelia gigantea requires full sun exposure.
When does Zulu giant bloom?
The striking flowers of the Zulu giant usually appear from September through October, triggered by the shortening daylight hours of autumn.
Conclusion
The Stapelia gigantea, or Zulu giant, offers unparalleled spectacle through its massive, unusual blooms, making it a must-have novelty species for succulent enthusiasts who can accommodate its peculiar floral scent. Providing sharp drainage and abundant sunshine are key to success with this charismatic plant. Before planting, verify that your growing zone falls within USDA 9 or 10, or plan for suitable container care during colder months.
Companion Planting
When placing Stapelia gigantea in a landscape setting, it is crucial to select companions that share its requirement for dry soil and intense sun. Pairing it with other South African succulents, such as many species of Haworthia or Aloe, ensures equitable cultural needs are met. These companions will not compete heavily for moisture and will provide contrasting textures during the off-season.
Consider using small, slow-growing agaves or Sedum varieties as groundcover around the base of the Zulu giant. This arrangement helps stabilize the soil around the shallow-rooted succulent while maintaining the xeric aesthetic. Avoid moisture-loving perennials, as excess humidity or standing water will quickly lead to stem rot in your Stapelia gigantea.
Propagation Tips
One of the easiest ways to propagate the Zulu giant is through stem cuttings. Take a segment of the four-angled stem, ensuring the cut is clean, and allow the cut end to callus over for several days until a dry skin forms. This callusing step is vital to prevent rot when planting.
Once callused, place the cutting directly into a fast-draining cactus or succulent mix, perhaps enhanced with extra perlite or pumice. Keep the soil lightly dry until new growth indicates that roots have successfully established. Division of established clumps is also highly effective for increasing the spread of your Stapelia gigantea population.
