Some of My Favorite Xeriscape Plants Are Real Stinkers

By SongofJoy
July 21, 2014

I love stapeliads, especially Stapelia gigantea. Some people say the blooms emit a terrible odor. Others say they can't smell them at all.

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Jul 20, 2014 8:37 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Jay
Nederland, Texas (Zone 9a)
Region: Texas Region: Gulf Coast Charter ATP Member I helped beta test the first seed swap I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier Tip Photographer Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level Hibiscus
When I was a teenager, I was very much into cactus and succulents, and this was one of my favorites.
wildflowersoftexas.com



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Jul 21, 2014 5:38 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
It does make an awesome plant. Once you see it in bud or bloom, you don't tend to forget it. Along with natives and herbs, succulents are my favorite plants to grow.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Jul 21, 2014 6:18 AM CST
Name: Kristi
east Texas pineywoods (Zone 8a)
Herbs Region: Texas Vegetable Grower Avid Green Pages Reviewer Garden Ideas: Level 2
This is a favorite of mine also. I noticed (even after all the rain we have just received) these blooms are busting out all over.

I think the reason some folks don't notice the odor is it varies with time of day and dryness of soil.

My worst experience was on a frosty October night when I quickly moved some tender plants in the house. I didn't move them back out the next morning and when I came in from work that evening the house reeked like something had died. I searched high and low and finally realized a Stapelia bud had opened in the warmth of the house. Nasty! lol That may be why my husband built me a greenhouse. lol Green Grin!
Believe in yourself even when no one else will. ~ Sasquatch
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Jul 21, 2014 7:32 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
lol. That's one way to get a greenhouse. Big Grin
I garden for the pollinators.
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Jul 21, 2014 10:00 AM CST
Name: Ursula
Fair Lawn NJ, zone 7a
Orchids Plumerias Cactus and Succulents Region: New Jersey Region: Pennsylvania Native Plants and Wildflowers
Greenhouse Ponds Keeper of Koi Forum moderator Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Adeniums
I find that it really smells when the sun shines right on it and it is nice and warm! Smiling
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Jul 21, 2014 11:26 AM CST
Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)
Bee Lover Garden Photography Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Daylilies Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: United States of America
Region: Indiana Garden Art Annuals Clematis Cottage Gardener Garden Ideas: Level 2
I've never seen this plant before. Very interesting!

Thanks for widening my knowledge of plants!
May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown
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Jul 21, 2014 11:27 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
Glad you found it interesting, Vickie. Thanks for reading.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Jul 22, 2014 4:01 PM CST
Name: Kim
Beaver Falls, PA (Zone 6a)
Birds Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge) Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Region: Pennsylvania Orchids Hummingbirder
Frogs and Toads Ferns Dog Lover Container Gardener Butterflies Garden Ideas: Level 2
I had one many years ago when I was a kid and it bloomed one time.... don't remember an odor but then again....it was outside and in the shade. Loved the plant even without the blooms Smiling
I hate losing plants....I know they are "just plants" but when you nurse them along and baby them and get them to grow, bloom, and be pretty and they die....it's like losing a friend..... Crying
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Jul 22, 2014 4:15 PM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
I agree. To me it is a striking plant even out of bloom.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Jul 26, 2014 10:45 AM CST
Name: Nancy
Eastern Shore Maryland (Zone 7b)
I have one and lots of it's children, and I can't say I have ever had a smell from it. I do find that the ones in the sun bloom, where the ones in the shade do not. The flower is the only thing that keeps me wanting this plant around!
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