Caralluma gracilipes

🌵 Caralluma gracilipes Care

Caralluma gracilipes is a small, clump-forming succulent belonging to the Apocynaceae family and the stapeliad group. It is native to eastern Kenya and northeastern Tanzania, where it grows in seasonally dry habitats.

It develops slender, upright, four-angled stems with pointed teeth along the edges. The stems are grey-green and may develop attractive purple mottling. Its unusual flowers are approximately 2.5 cm across, with narrow, spreading petals that are whitish or yellow, marked with purple or maroon spots and covered in fine hairs.

🌱 Growing & Care

☀️ Light

• Prefers bright light with good natural airflow.

• Provide gentle morning sunlight or filtered sunlight.

• Protect from extremely harsh afternoon sun, particularly during hot weather.

• Adequate light encourages compact growth and flowering.

💧 Watering

• Water during active growth, allowing the growing medium to dry out between waterings.

• Avoid keeping the roots continuously moist.

• Reduce watering during cooler months when growth slows.

• Avoid watering heavily during cold or humid conditions.

🪴 Soil

• Requires a gritty, very well-draining growing medium.

• Use a cactus and succulent mix amended with pumice, perlite or coarse grit.

• A shallow pot with drainage holes is suitable.🌡️ Temperature

  • Prefers warm growing conditions.

  • Protect from frost and prolonged cold.

  • Good air circulation is particularly important in humid conditions.

  🌸 Flowering

  • Produces distinctive, star-shaped flowers approximately 2.5 cm in diameter.

  • Flowers are whitish to yellow, decorated with purple or maroon spots.

  • The narrow petals have fine hairs along their surfaces and edges.

  🌿 Feeding

  • Feed lightly with a diluted succulent fertiliser during active growth.

  • Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage soft growth.

  🌱 Propagation

  • Can be propagated from stem cuttings or seed.

  • Allow stem cuttings to dry and callus before placing them in a dry, gritty growing medium.

  • Keep cuttings warm and avoid excessive moisture while they develop roots.

  🌵 Boho Blooms Growing Tip

  Caralluma gracilipes is a lovely addition to a specialist stapeliad collection. Its slender stems and unusual spotted flowers make it particularly interesting. The most important factors for success are excellent drainage, warm conditions and careful watering. Avoid allowing water to collect around the base of the stems.

Plants on offer: ±3 stems 3-5cm rooted. Shipped without pot or soil. May or may not currently have flowers/buds.

Have a look at our care sheet to find out how you can care for your stapeliads!

Flower image credit: Cok Grootscholten Succulent World