BellinaThe Day My Balcony Started to Smell Like a Corpse
A few weeks ago, I came across a listing on Facebook Marketplace that stopped me mid-scroll. A local seller was offering a set of unusual succulents: Stapelia asterias, Stapelia desmetiana, Stapelia gettliffei, and Orbea ciliata. Each plant was labeled in the photos and looked mature and well cared for. I had always been intrigued by these so-called “carrion flowers” known for their exotic appearance and notoriously stinky blooms. It was my first time buying plants through Marketplace, and I decided to go for it.
When I picked them up, I was immediately pleased. The plants were even healthier than expected. Full, plump stems and early bud development on three of them showed they were well established. The Orbea ciliata hadn’t bloomed yet, but it was clearly mature with thick, strong stems and new growth. The seller, Marina, was friendly and knowledgeable, and I left feeling confident about my purchase.
I placed the plants on my balcony, where they get plenty of bright, indirect light and some filtered sun. The warm weather seemed to suit them perfectly. Within the first week, Stapelia asterias was the first to bloom a deep red star-shaped flower covered in fine hairs. And yes, it smelled just as expected, like rotting meat. Oddly enough, I didn’t mind. The scent is nature’s trick to attract flies for pollination, and it felt like I was witnessing something brilliantly wild.
Stapelia desmetiana followed with a slightly rounder, reddish bloom, and then Stapelia gettliffei opened, its long pointed petals tinged with yellow and purple hues. Each flower lasted several days, and they quickly became a source of fascination. Drawing flies, yes, but also curious friends and neighbors who had never seen anything like them.
Although Orbea ciliata hasn’t bloomed yet, it remains strong and vibrant. I’m confident it’s only a matter of time before it puts on a show of its own.
Stapelia and Orbea Plant Care Guide:
Light: Provide bright, indirect light. Morning or late afternoon sun is ideal on balconies.
Watering: Allow soil to dry out completely before watering again. These succulents are drought-tolerant and sensitive to overwatering.
Soil: Use well-draining cactus or succulent soil. Avoid moisture-retaining mixes.
Temperature: Thrive in warm conditions (65–85°F). Protect from frost.
Flowering: Mature plants bloom seasonally with proper care, often emitting a carrion scent to attract pollinators.
These bizarrely beautiful plants are now a cherished part of my balcony garden—truly a rewarding find from a simple Marketplace scroll.
