This conversation-starter turns heads with its leopard-spotted starfish flowers and famous aroma of carrion. Mercifully, you have to lean in close to smell its faint parfum de deceased mouse. This fascinating succulent emits its rotten smell to attract flies for pollination. It makes a great companion plant to our carnivorous plant selection—the starfish plant lures in the bugs, and the carnivorous plants eat up! Native to western coastal regions of South Africa, this succulent thrives in the shade and tolerates sun well. Starfish plants fill in borders, containers, and hanging baskets with green, finger-like leaves. An extremely low maintenance plant, your starfish plant will add an intriguing touch of the otherworldly to your garden.
Growth Form: Low-growing succulent about 4 inches tall that forms a mat extending to a few feet wide
Light: Part sun, shade
Water: Low water once established, drought tolerant
Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix
Hardiness: USDA zones 9-11
Type: Perennial