Description

Stephania Tuber Plant

Stephania is a genus of flowering plants in the family Menispermaceae, native to eastern and southern Asia and Australia. They are herbaceous perennial vines growing to around four metres tall, with a large, woody caudex. The leaves are arranged spirally on the stem, and are peltate, with the leaf petiole attached near the centre of the leaf. The name Stephania comes from the Greek, “a crown”. This refers to the anthers being arranged in a crown-like manner.

This is a stunning and unusual plant, perfect for window or desk display. All our caudex plants have either recently sprouted or will sprout shortly after arrival (3-9 weeks). We have different size caudexes available and each caudex ships in a terracotta pot.

Stephania is a rare and collectable vining caudiciform plant. The bulb or caudex looks kind of like a potato. As a houseplant, we recommend planting about halfway into the soil and allowing the caudex to be on display.

When planted, this rare plant will break dormancy and display a flush of parasol-shaped leaves along creeping vines. Allow the vines to cascade down, or train them up a trellis.

You’ll receive one dormant Stephania caudex, from 3 to 4″ in diameter, PLUS a pretty planter pot made from natural, bio-degradable rice hulls and water-soluble binding agents. Each one is a bit different, so expect variation from the photos.

When you receive your dormant caudex plant it in well-draining soil with the top half of the caudex exposed. The bottom of the caudex has an “X” drawn on it. Water your Stephania  when the soil is dry. This plant will not tolerate over-watering. Stephania wants bright, indirect light and good humidity. You can place an open plastic bag around the caudex to raise the humidity to encourage growth. Once you see growth, make sure not to place your plant in direct sunlight. This will burn the leaves and caudex.

Care Tips and Requirements

Now that it’s sprouted, you’ll want to adjust your care routine. But, after all that work, you don’t want to mess something up and have a sad, soggy potato, so here’s how to care for the Stephania plant.

• Avoid watering when the caudex is dormant to minimise rot.
• Provide full sun and humid conditions.
• Stephania does well in the porous soil mix.
• Keep the soil moist but not saturated during the active growing stage.
• Fertilize regularly to promote leaf growth.
• Propagated by seeds.

Additional information