Plant library / Succulents & cacti
Starfish Cactus
Stapelia variegata
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Not a cactus but a succulent asclepiad, with star-shaped flowers that smell of carrion to attract flies. Treat it like a cactus and enjoy the flowers outdoors.
Toxicity
Safe
Not known to be toxic to cats.
Safe
Not known to be toxic to dogs.
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 14–21 days
- LightDirect sun
- HumidityLow humidity
- Temperature15–27 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
- Flowers smell foul — that is the plant working as intended
- Yellow mushy stems — overwatering — Root rot →
- Stems shrivelling — underwatering in summer — Underwatering →
Similar plants
- Desert Rose toxicAdenium obesum
- Living Stones safeLithops
- Pencil Cactus toxicEuphorbia tirucalli
- Blue Echeveria safeEcheveria glauca
In the app
Add a starfish cactus to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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