Succulents are admired for their sculptural leaves, but many also surprise growers with incredible flowers.
Among the most unique are those that produce blooms shaped like stars. These plants range from the quirky and unusual to the bold and ornamental, each with its own charm.
If you’re looking to add something eye-catching to your collection, here are ten succulent plants with star-shaped flowers worth growing.
1. Starfish Flower
- Scientific name: Stapelia gigantea
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light to full sun
- Soil: Sandy, well-draining cactus mix
- USDA: 10-11
The Starfish flower is famous for its enormous, five-pointed blooms that can span up to 12 inches.
The flowers are typically yellow to maroon with striped or mottled patterns, covered in soft hairs that give them a fuzzy appearance.
While the blossoms are breathtaking, they also carry a strong odor resembling rotting meat, nature’s trick to attract pollinators like flies.
Plus, the plant itself grows as a low, cactus-like succulent with ribbed, green stems.
Easy to grow in containers, it thrives in warm, sunny conditions and makes a fascinating addition to any collection.
2. Carrion Flower
- Scientific name: Orbea variegata (syn. Stapelia variegata)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Gritty, fast-draining mix
- USDA: 9-11
This smaller cousin of the Stapelia is equally striking.
The Carrion flower produces star-shaped blooms about 2-3 inches wide, patterned in cream with dark maroon spots. The design is so intricate that the flowers look almost painted.
Like Stapelia, the scent is unpleasant up close but fascinating to many growers.
The plant forms clusters of fleshy, toothed stems that sprawl attractively in shallow pots.
With minimal water and bright light, it will bloom reliably in summer and create an unforgettable display of patterned star flowers.
3. Lifesaver Plant
- Scientific name: Huernia zebrina
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Cactus/succulent mix with added grit
- USDA: 10-11
The Lifesaver plant earns its name from its unusual flowers.
Each star-shaped bloom has yellow petals with red striping and a thick, glossy red ring in the center that resembles a candy lifesaver.
Flowers appear in clusters along its thick, green stems, usually during warm months. While small (about 2 inches across), they are incredibly showy and unique.
Like its relatives, it prefers to stay on the dry side and is best suited to containers where soil drainage can be controlled. It’s a conversation piece for any succulent lover.
4. Star Cactus
- Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Sandy, mineral-rich cactus soil
- USDA: 9-11
The Star cactus is a tiny, round cactus that already resembles a star in shape, but its flowers add even more charm.
In summer, it produces large, daisy-like yellow blossoms with bright orange centers, perfectly starry in appearance.
The contrast between the geometric cactus body and the soft, sunny flowers is striking.
Slow-growing but easy to care for, it does well in shallow pots with excellent drainage. This species is often prized by collectors for its compact size, symmetrical ribs, and dazzling blooms.
5. String of Nickels (Flowering)
- Scientific name: Dischidia nummularia
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light
- Soil: Loose, orchid-style epiphytic mix
- USDA: 11-12
Although grown mostly for its coin-shaped trailing leaves, String of Nickels also produces clusters of small, star-like white to yellowish flowers.
These blooms may be less showy than other succulents, but they add a delicate, fragrant charm when they appear.
Native to Southeast Asia, this plant is epiphytic, meaning it naturally grows on trees.
Indoors, it’s perfect for hanging baskets where the round leaves and occasional starry flowers can spill gracefully. You just provide humidity and steady light for best growth.
6. Scarlet Star (Propeller Plant)
- Scientific name: Crassula perfoliata var. falcata
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Gritty, well-draining succulent mix
- USDA: 9-11
Also called the Propeller Plant for its gray-green, propeller-shaped leaves, this succulent is most famous for its vibrant, star-shaped flower clusters.
Each cluster is packed with dozens of small, bright scarlet-red blooms that form a dazzling dome of color in summer.
The contrast of the silvery foliage with fiery red flowers makes it a standout in any collection.
Hardy in warm climates and easy to grow in containers, it’s an excellent choice if you want both architectural foliage and bold flowers.
7. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Scientific name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect light to partial sun
- Soil: Light, well-draining potting mix
- USDA: 10-12
This popular houseplant succulent is grown around the world for its long-lasting, star-shaped flowers.
Available in red, orange, yellow, pink, or white, the blooms appear in dense clusters above glossy green leaves.
Kalanchoe blossoms can last for weeks, brightening windowsills and indoor spaces even in winter.
Easy to care for, it needs only occasional watering and rewards you with cheerful, starry blooms year after year. It’s often gifted as a symbol of happiness and resilience.
8. Crown of Thorns
- Scientific name: Euphorbia milii
- Sunlight: Full sun to bright light
- Soil: Sandy, well-draining mix
- USDA: 9-11
Crown of Thorns is a spiny succulent shrub that produces clusters of small, star-like flowers surrounded by colorful bracts in red, pink, or yellow.
The flowers are technically modest, but the bright bracts give them a vivid starry effect.
Native to Madagascar, it thrives in hot, sunny conditions and tolerates drought once established.
With steady light and occasional watering, it blooms almost year-round indoors or outdoors in warm climates. Its resilience and color make it a favorite among succulent growers.
9. Sedum (Stonecrop)
- Scientific name: Sedum acre (and other Sedum species)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Sandy, gritty mix
- USDA: 3-9
Many Sedum species are known for their carpets of tiny, star-shaped flowers. Sedum acre, for example, produces masses of bright yellow stars in late spring and summer.
These low-growing succulents spread quickly, making them excellent groundcovers or rock garden plants.
Their cheerful, starry blooms attract pollinators and create a glowing effect when grown in clusters.
Hardy and versatile, Sedums thrive in poor soil, require little water, and are among the easiest succulents to grow outdoors.
10. Starfish Sansevieria (Flowering)
- Scientific name: Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Boncel’
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect to low light
- Soil: Cactus/succulent mix
- USDA: 10-12
Known mainly for its upright, fan-like cylindrical leaves, the Starfish Sansevieria occasionally produces clusters of small, creamy white star-shaped flowers.
The blooms are fragrant, especially at night, and add a surprise element to this already unusual succulent.
While flowering is rare indoors, it can happen when the plant is slightly root-bound and receiving steady light.
Even without frequent blooms, its architectural shape makes it a prized ornamental. When flowers appear, they’re a sweet bonus that completes its starfish theme.
Refer to: Top 30 Types Of Succulent Plant With Pictures And Names
