Stapelia leendertziae N.E.Br. 

🌱 Morphology

  If you bring your nose close to its beautiful flower, you will know why it has that common name... A perennial succulent with a creeping growth habit, forming clumping mounds that grow to about 50 cm in diameter. Its fleshy stems, approximately 8–20 cm long, are relatively slender, with a quadrangular cross-section and four slightly prominent angles. They have a finely pubescent surface, a dull green color that can develop purple hues on sun-exposed areas. The small stem tubers end in tiny foliar rudiments that soon disappear.

Its most distinctive feature is its large, bell-shaped flowers, dark maroon or reddish-purple in color, which can reach about 9–12 cm in diameter and up to 12 cm in length. Unlike the star-shaped and open flowers of other species in the genus, the corolla forms a deep cup, with five triangular lobes and a finely rugose inner surface covered with small hairs. It emits an odor that attracts carrion flies.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

It is native to northeast South Africa and Eswatini, with populations in the South African provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It grows on rocky ground, slopes, and sandstone or dolomite outcrops, usually in shallow, well-drained soils. It can be found in the light shade of shrubs and trees, in subtropical environments with a dry season. Although it is widely grown in collections, it is relatively uncommon in the wild.

Family: Apocynaceae. Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae. Tribe: Ceropegieae.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 9b

It tolerates occasional low temperatures close to −3.9 °C under favorable conditions, although this value should not be interpreted as a safe cultivation threshold. It is more cold-tolerant than many other stapeliads and can withstand light frosts if the growing medium remains dry. When potted, it is recommended to protect it from prolonged frosts and cold accompanied by moisture, keeping it preferably above 5–10 °C during the winter.

☀️ Lighting

It grows well in intense light, in both moderate full sun and bright partial shade. In its native habitat, it may grow partially protected by vegetation, so it is advisable to avoid sudden exposure to intense sun if the plant comes from a shaded cultivation. Good light promotes the formation of robust stems and flowering. As a general guideline, a PAR DLI of 15–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ can be targeted, adapting it to the temperature and acclimatization of the specimen.

💧 Growth and watering cycle

Winter dormancy. Its growth is concentrated mainly during warm periods and may slow down in winter. During spring and summer, it is recommended to water thoroughly, allowing the water to drain freely and the growing medium to dry out completely before the next watering. In winter, watering should be reduced, especially if temperatures drop. Although it tolerates some drought, it is best not to keep it dehydrated for excessively long periods as the stems begin to wrinkle. Excessive moisture at the base is one of the main causes of plant loss.

🌸 Flowering

Flowering usually occurs from autumn through early southern summer, with a typical peak between November and January in its native habitat. In cultivation, the dates may vary depending on the hemisphere and environmental conditions. The flowers appear near the base or on the lower half of young stems, individually or in small successive groups. The globose and bell-shaped corolla has a smoother and shinier exterior, while the interior is dark maroon or purple, with transverse wrinkles and longer hairs towards the center. It gives off an odor reminiscent of decaying organic matter, which attracts pollinating flies.

🌿 Nutrition

During active growth, it is recommended to use Desert CHOICE® Succulents, following the product's dosage instructions. It is advisable to maintain moderate fertilization, avoiding excess nitrogen to promote balanced growth and a good stem structure. Fertilization should be reduced or suspended during winter dormancy. An airy growing medium with excellent drainage is essential to prevent root and stem-base rot.

Gourmet black pot, 10x10 cm

This is an unrivalled xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot with a growing medium inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.