Sphaeralcea ambigua

Sphaeralcea ambigua is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty plant nurseries for use in desert and drought tolerant gardens. Drought tolerant, grows well in alkaline soil. Some variations may appear with red, pink, violet or white blooms.

Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.

Spigelia marilandica

Native to North America, Spigelia marilandica is a small shrub that typically reaches a height of 2-5 feet, although the plant can reach heights of up to 8 feet in the wild. It is known for its red and crimson vinous flowers. The flowers fade to a yellow-orange color in the fall. This small shrub is a great addition to any garden and is also a great ethnomedical plant, as it is known to have various medicinal properties.

This plant loves full sun, but will also do well in semi-shade. It needs a regular amount of water and is hardy in USDA zones 9-11. When growing in a pot in cold regions, the soil should be kept evenly moist and the temperature should never drop below 55°F.

Spigelia marilandica is a great plant to have in the garden, as it is known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. It can be grown from seed and will require minimal maintenance over the years. However, due to the presence of alkaloids and calcium oxalate crystals, the plant can be irritating when ingested and should be kept away from animals and children.

Stanhopea sp.

Stanhopea sp. prefers a semi-shade exposure, filtered light with a few hours of morning or late afternoon sun.

These small plants grow 2-5 feet tall and typically are epiphytic in nature. Stanhopea should be grown in a medium that is open and rapidly draining, such as fir bark or cork mounted on cork slabs, mounted boards or tree fern slabs. Stanhopea thrives in heat and humidity, and should be grown in USDA Zones 9-11. Watering should be regular so as to keep the growing medium moderately moist but never wet.

Stanhopea is known for its unusual, large and fragrant flowers that are usually a combination of white, off-white, red, crimson and vinous, yellow, orange, and other colors. The flowers generally last from multiple days up to a couple of weeks. The fragrant flowers of Stanhopea will open in the morning, and close up at early evening.

For those in colder regions, Stanhopea can be grown indoors in pots, but it should be kept warm, and given plenty of indirect light and high humidity. Watering should also be regular, and just enough to keep the roots lightly moist but never waterlogged. It is important to keep the environmental temperature above or around 70°F to ensure successful growth and blooming of Stanhopea.

Stapelia sp.

Stapelia sp. is a small plant native to South Africa with distinctive star-shaped flowers in shades of red, crimson, vinous, yellow, or orange. This plant is suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 and can tolerate short exposures to temperatures as low as 30°F. It prefers full sun or semi-shade and requires only moderate water, making it a good choice for dry conditions. Stapelia sp. can be grown in pots and is a good container plant, but it is important to protect it from cold temperatures by bringing the pot indoors to a light-filled location during the winter months.

The flowers of Stapelia sp. can be quite large, reaching up to 8 inches in diameter, and they may be red, brown, or marbled in color. They are often hairy and are known for their malodorous aroma, which is similar to the smell of rotting meat. This plant is commonly cultivated as a pot or rockery plant in warmer regions, and it is also known by the common names "carrion flower," "giant toad flower," and "starfish flower." The flowers are pollinated by flies, which are attracted to the carrion aroma. The stems of this plant are succulent, spineless, and 4-angled, and they grow upright before sprawling sideways with the tips still erect. In the ground, this plant can grow to be 24 inches wide. The genus name, Stapelia sp., honors Dutch physician Johannes Bodaeus van Stapel.

Stapelianthus decaryi

This native of Madagascar has a sprawling growth habit, growing between two and five feet tall and two feet wide. Stapelianthus decaryi is a small succulent plant that has thicket-like stems and it's identifiable by its porous mottled bark, along with its yellow and maroon speckled flowers, which are shaped like chalices.

The Stapelianthus decaryi is best grown in semi-shade, and they require moderate watering. This species of succulent blooms in the summer, when delicate clusters of pink, yellow and oranges flowers appear. When grown in the right conditions, the Stapelianthus will attract many pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

The Stapelianthus decaryi is hardy in USDA planting zones 9-11, and can be grown both indoors and outdoors as long as it is sheltered from harsh winds, and given adequate protection from frost. For those in colder climates, a Stapelianthus can be grown successfully in a pot and housed indoors during the cooler months. When planting or potting indoors, make sure the soil is well-draining and the pot is shallow to allow for the plant to spread easily. When watering, it's important to keep the soil damp, but not soggy as this species is susceptible to root rot.

Overall, the Stapelianthus decaryi is easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance - making it a great choice for green thumbs of all levels. With its interesting mottled bark and chalice-shaped flowers, this Madagascar native will bring an exotic touch to any garden!