Stephania Erecta – Plant Care Tips

Stephania Erecta Appearance

The Stephania Erecta is an unusual caudex plant with a swollen potato like stem, a long vine and iconic circular leaves with mosaic like foliage. The delicate leaves contrasting to the more robust woody caudex has made this a photogenic and desirable collector plant.

Stephania Erecta Natural Environment

The Stephania Erecta is a tropical plant native to Thailand and the Indo-Chinese Peninsula where it is found in thickets or forests with sparse vegetation.

Stephania Erecta Lighting & Position

Stephania Erecta will do best in a position where there is lots of bright indirect light. The leaves can be delicate so avoid strong direct sun. Avoid low minimum temperatures below 12C.

Stephania Erecta Watering

As with all plants, drainage is essential. Ensure that whatever vessel your plant is in, there are sufficient holes in the bottom to allow excess water to freely drain from the pot and away from the plant’s roots.

Stephania Erecta can be sensitive to over-watering. Watering once a week is usually sufficient. Let it dry out before waterings. If it feels wet, let it dry out for longer. Over watering can lead to fungal issues or the bulb rotting. Check the soil moisture once a week, and water if necessary. During winter, when the plant isn’t in an active growing phase you should reduce watering frequency and try to use tepid/room temperature water.  

N.b. misting with a spray bottle will only improve humidity temporarily, and if done excessively can lead to fungal issues. Misting should only be done occasionally and is most effective as part of your leaf cleaning routine. (Mist and then gently wipe leaves with a cloth to clear away dust from the leaf surface.)

Stephania Erecta Humidity

Stephania Erectas being native to Thailand appreciate high humidity. A glasshouse or greenhouse environment, humidity trays or growing the plant under a glass globe or similar are all useful for achieving and maintaining higher levels of humidity. Grouping plants closer together can also achieve higher humidity in that micro climate. Avoid placing near air conditioners, heaters or drafts.  

Stephania Erecta Soil Mixture

Stephania Erectas like free flowing soil with high levels of perlite or similar to a cactus mix. The free flowing soil avoids the bulb having wet feet. Please note Stephania bulbs can vary between how many roots they have and minimal roots doesn’t mean it’s not a strong and healthy plant. 

Stephania Erecta Fertiliser

Feed with liquid fertiliser monthly over the warm, growing period and not at all over the cooler winter months.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here. 

Stephania Erecta Tips

If it’s growing leggy, it’s looking for more light and you might want to relocate it into a brighter position.

Stephania Erecta – Toxicity

Note! This plant might cause an allergic reaction in pets causing skin, eye or mouth irritation so keep it out of reach of your furry friends!

Stephania Erecta – Dormancy/Winter Care

Please note that Stephania Erectas can go dormant over winter and lose some or all of their leaves. If kept in a warm place this won’t necessarily happen but don’t stress if it does. It’s a normal process and they will shoot out new leaves come spring. Please don’t water your bulb if this does happen to avoid over watering and you can start over in spring. Being rather delicate the leaves can also be sensitive to travel shock, where they can drop leaves or stems as they re-adjust to their new environment. 

And most of all enjoy!

The Stephania Erecta is a magnificent and unique species. Please share your pics using the #thejunglecollective. For those who bought one in our first ever pre-release, thanks heaps for supporting the initiative. Because of your support we can keep pushing the boundaries for what’s possible, broadening the species available in Australia and to continue Chasing Unicorns! And most importantly Enjoy!!

What’s next?

Our next release is the magnificent Cereus Forbesi Spiralis. Click on the image below to get your hands on one!

📷: @grantstoomuchbootyintheplants