{"product_id":"huernia-confusa","title":"Huernia confusa - Starfish Flower","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis plant's compact foliage grows in miniature towers of mid-green, spiny foliage which sprout off each other to the side until the plant trails over the side of its pot. As well as its unusual foliage, you might be granted with its star (or starfish) shaped flowers, which bloom in deep maroon or purple and tend to appear in summer. To show this plant off to best advantage, pop it somewhere it can happily trail, and ensure it gets plenty of light and not too much water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003einsigniflora\u003c\/em\u003e (Heurnius' plant with zebra stripes, subspecies with glorious flowers)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSynonyms: \u003cem\u003eHuernia confusa, Huernia insigniflora, Ceropegia zebrina subsp. insigniflora\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eInitially identified as \u003cem\u003eHuernia insigniflora\u003c\/em\u003e in 1928 then \u003cem\u003eHuernia confusa\u003c\/em\u003e in 1932, this plant was reclassified as a subspecies of \u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e in a 2005 paper. In one 2017 paper it is referred to as \u003cem\u003eCeropegia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003einsigniflora,\u003c\/em\u003e but currently \u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e subsp. \u003cem\u003einsigniflora\u003c\/em\u003e is still the accepted name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name(s)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eConfused Huernia, Starfish Flower, Lifesaver Cactus, Owl Eyes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNative to rocky, arid parts of South Africa's Northern Provinces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eYour \u003cem\u003eHuernia\u003c\/em\u003e will enjoy a bright spot, and grows best with just a little direct sun. An east- or west-facing window will work well here.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAllow the soil to dry out completely between waters. Water sparingly, as this succulent is highly drought-tolerant. Too much water and soggy soil can lead to root rot. Reduce watering during winter when the plant won't be actively growing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThrives in low humidity and dry conditions. Make sure not to keep it anywhere particularly damp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eUse a well-draining cactus or succulent soil; a mix with added sand or grit will work well. Make sure your pot has drainage holes. Repot every few years as the plant grows; you'll know it's ready to repot when the roots are crowding the pot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFeed once every two months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted cactus or succulent fertiliser. Feeding is unnecessary in autumn and winter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eIdeal temperatures are between 18-26°C. Protect from frost and avoid exposure to temperatures below 10°C.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eYes, this plant is non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for households with animals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eA big risk for this plant is giving it too much water; make sure the soil has totally dried out before you water again and this will help keep it happy!\u003cbr\u003eThe stems should droop a little, so don't worry if they are not upright. They will look best on a shelf or in a hanging pot where their dangly stems can be shown off.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eExtras\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe flowers of \u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e emit a faint scent similar to carrion, which helps attract pollinating flies. The scent is mild indoors, though, so don't be put off! The flowers are more than interesting enough to offset their odd smell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDid You Know?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe genus \u003cem\u003eHuernia\u003c\/em\u003e was named by Robert Brown in honour of Dutch missionary Justin Heurnius, the first known collector of Cape of Good Hope plants. It was Brown who originated the misspelling of his name, and it stuck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"8.5cm","offer_id":55163127300477,"sku":"5611239647371","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/huernia-confusa-starfish-flower-595793.jpg?v=1737424369","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.pro\/products\/huernia-confusa","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}