Dorstenia foetida

🌿 Meet Dorstenia foetida, a truly unusual succulent from the Moraceae family (yes, the same family as fig trees). Native to the rocky slopes and dry regions of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this peculiar plant produces a thickened caudex base that stores water during drought periods. With its bizarre star-shaped flower structures and sculptural form, it's a conversation starter that suits intermediate to advanced growers who appreciate the odd and otherworldly. Here's a fun fact: despite its species name "foetida" (meaning foul-smelling), most growers find the scent barely noticeable or even mildly pleasant.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This plant grows as a compact, sculptural specimen with a swollen caudex at the base that can reach several inches across with age. The stems are upright and branching, creating an interesting silhouette. Leaves emerge along the stems in a spiraling pattern—they're small, somewhat oval to lance-shaped, bright green, and have a slightly waxy texture that helps reduce water loss. The foliage is deciduous in some conditions, dropping leaves during stress or dormancy periods.
FLOWER DETAILS
The flowers are where Dorstenia foetida gets really weird. Instead of traditional blooms, it produces flat, disc-like structures called hypanthodia that look like tiny green starfish or geometric medallions. These unusual "flowers" are chartreuse to pale green and sit on short stalks above the foliage. They don't have fragrance that most people notice, but their alien appearance is their main aesthetic draw. The plant flowers sporadically throughout the growing season when conditions are right. To encourage flowering, provide bright light, warmth, and avoid overwatering—stress (controlled, not severe) can actually trigger bloom production in mature specimens.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light to partial direct sun; thrives with 4-6 hours of morning sun or very bright filtered light throughout the day
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry (every 10-14 days in summer, monthly or less in winter); bottom watering or careful top watering works best—avoid wetting the caudex
🌡️ Humidity: Low to average humidity, 30-50% ideal; tolerates dry indoor air exceptionally well
🪴 Soil: Extremely well-draining cactus/succulent mix with added perlite or pumice (50/50 blend); gritty, fast-draining structure essential
🏺 Potting: Shallow terracotta or unglazed clay pot, slightly wider than the caudex; repot every 2-3 years in spring, increasing pot size gradually
🌱 Growth rate: Slow; expect 1-2 inches of new growth per year under good conditions; mature specimens can reach 8-12 inches tall and wide over many years
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Diluted cactus fertilizer once monthly during active growth (spring and summer only); skip fertilizing entirely in fall and winter
🐾 Pet friendly: No—contains latex sap that can cause mild to moderate irritation if ingested; may cause skin sensitivity in some individuals when handling broken stems
WHERE TO PUT IT
This succulent thrives on bright windowsills (south or west-facing is ideal), in sunny home offices, or as a centerpiece on a dining table that gets strong natural light. It's perfect for modern, minimalist spaces or alongside a cactus collection. Avoid placing it in low-light corners, humid bathrooms, or anywhere that stays consistently cool—it needs warmth and brightness to maintain its compact form and encourage that distinctive flowering habit.
RARITY ASSESSMENT
sought-after