Huernia somalica

🌵 Huernia somalica Care

Huernia somalica is a distinctive, clump-forming succulent belonging to the Apocynaceae family and the stapeliad group. It is native to eastern Ethiopia and northern Somalia, where it grows in dry shrubland and desert-like habitats.

It develops short, stout, five-angled stems, usually greyish-green with prominent, sharply pointed teeth along the ridges. The stems typically reach around 3–6 cm in length and can form attractive clusters over time.

Its flowers are particularly striking, measuring approximately 2.5–3 cm across. They have cream to pale-yellow triangular petals surrounding a prominent, glossy reddish-brown to orange-red central ring.

🌱 Growing & Care

☀️ Light

• Prefers bright light with some direct sunlight.

• Gentle morning sun is ideal.

• Provide partial shade during the hottest part of the day.

• Avoid sudden exposure to intense sunlight, which can scorch the stems.

• Good light encourages compact growth and flowering.

💧 Watering

• Water moderately during active growth.

• Allow the growing medium to dry completely between waterings.

• Avoid keeping the roots constantly moist.

• Reduce watering during cooler months.

• Be particularly careful during cold, damp weather, as excess moisture can cause stem and root rot.

🪴 Soil

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

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

• A shallow container with drainage holes is suitable for its clumping growth habit.

• Avoid heavy, moisture-retaining soil.

🌡️ Temperature

• Prefers warm growing conditions.

• Protect from frost and prolonged cold.

• Ideally maintain temperatures above 5°C.

• Good air circulation helps prevent fungal problems.

🌸 Flowering

• Produces unusual, wheel-shaped flowers approximately 2.5–3 cm across.

• The petals are cream to pale yellow, with pointed tips.

• The centre features a large, glossy reddish-brown or orange-red ring.

• The flowers have a distinctive appearance that makes this species particularly attractive to stapeliad collectors.

🌿 Feeding

• Feed lightly with a diluted, low-nitrogen succulent fertiliser during active growth.

• Avoid excessive feeding, which can encourage soft, weak stems.

• Do not fertilise during the cooler resting period.

🌱 Propagation

• Easily propagated from stem cuttings.

• Allow cut surfaces to dry and callus before planting.

• Place cuttings on top of a dry, gritty growing medium.

• Keep warm and avoid excessive moisture until roots develop.

• Can also be propagated from seed.

🌵 Boho Blooms Growing Tip

Huernia somalica is a lovely addition to a specialist stapeliad collection, especially for its unusual reddish central flower ring. Provide plenty of bright light, warm growing conditions and excellent drainage. The most important aspect of its care is avoiding overwatering, particularly during cooler weather.

Interesting botanical fact: The large, shiny reddish-orange ring in the centre of the flower is called an annulus. It is one of the most distinctive identifying features of Huernia somalica.

Taxonomy note: Huernia somalica N.E.Br. is the accepted botanical name. It was previously also classified under the synonym Ceropegia somalica.

Plants on offer: 1-3 stems 4-6cm rooted. Shipped without pot or soil.

May or may not currently have flowers/buds.