Why are my Starfish Plant leaves turning brown at the edges?
The plant got too dry. Water it, and the new leaves should be fine.
How do I give my Starfish Plants the dormant rest they require in the winter?
Starfish Plants do not need require much of a rest. The Starfish Plant variety you have is a hybrid named “Titan” made at California State University at Fullerton. If you keep them in a location where they get good light, and where the night temperature never drops below 65F, most plants will keep growing all year. If they do begin to go dormant, the changes in the leaves will be obvious to you in late Fall. Instead of growing thin spinach like leaves, they begin to grow hard 1⁄2” short small leaves in a tight rosette at ground level. The more delicate summer leaves will yellow and rot away. Late March, once the days are longer, and the temperature remain above 65F day and night, they will begin to grow the giant summer leaves again.
Do my plants need fertilizer?
Starfish Plants benefit from monthly applications of house plant fertilizer once a month between April and September. Dilute the fertilizer to 10% of that recommendation on the box.
Should I transplant the plant when I get it?
If you want to, yes, but the plants we sell do not need to be transplanted right away.
I bought a carnivorous plant to give to somebody as a gift. How do I take care of it until then?
Relax. Our plastic boxes hold enough moisture around the plants that they can live about 2 weeks without any water or food being needed. Just place them near a bright sunny window, out of the direct sun until you can give away.
Is the plant I received fully grown?
Starfish Plants vary in size from 1⁄2” to up to 6” diameter. The plant you have is a hybrid, not found in nature, and can grow up to 6” diameter. Your Starfish Plant likely will grow larger.
Should I buy bugs to feed my Starfish Plant? There aren't any in my house.
You do not need to buy bugs for your Starfish Plants. They have roots and can feed themselves by using the nutrients from the soil, and sunlight, just like any other plant. Bugs merely “supplement their diet,” so to speak. You can keep your Starfish Plant in top condition during the summer by feeding them once a month with houseplant fertilizer diluted to 10% of the recommendation on the box.
Will Starfish Plants control the fly problem in my house?
Probably not. They trap only small gnats and black flies 1/16th of an inch in size or smaller.
Are the plants poisonous?
None of the Starfish Plants are known to be poisonous.
In which window should I place my Starfish Plant?
Place your Starfish Plant near a window where it will get good bright light, without direct sunlight. Starfish Plants love humidity. If the leaves curl or roll very tightly, the humidity may be too low. Try moving it into a terrarium. Leave the lid off the terrarium so that the heat can escape.
