Huernia zebrina

Common Names

Lifesaver Plant, Carrion Flower, Lifebuoy Huernia, Owl Eyes, Little Owl Eyes, Zebra-Striped Huernia

Summary

Lifesaver plant is a small, creeping to mat-forming evergreen succulent native to Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa, often growing in rocky dry scrub and stony soils. It features four-to-six angled green stems that may turn reddish-purple in intense light, reaching about 6–8 inches tall and 6 inches wide, and bears star-shaped flowers 1–3 inches across from late spring to early fall. Flowers have cream-colored to greenish-yellow lobes striped with red to burgundy and a raised glossy wine-red annulus around the mouth, accompanied by a carrion-like scent that attracts flies.

Culture favors bright light to partial shade and well-draining soil, such as a cactus/succulent mix, with unglazed pots preferred for drainage. Water thoroughly during the growing season and allow the soil to dry between waterings, with winter dormancy requiring minimal watering; temperatures range about 50–80°F and the plant is frost-sensitive, typically grown in USDA zones 9–11, with protection below 50°F. Propagation is by stem cuttings or seeds, and the plant can be used ornamentally in pots or rock gardens as a pollinator-friendly option that provides nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-8 inches

Spread

6-20 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining succulent soil

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Yellow with burgundy stripes

Bloom Time

Spring and Summer

Foliage Color

Deep green

Fall Foliage Color

Green, reddish purple, Purple

Growth Rate

Slow growth; reaches ultimate height in 2–5 years; compact, low-growing, creeping.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and other pollinators