Stephania Erecta Caudex, 3, 5, or 10 Pieces from Thailand, Water-Storing Caudex, Indirect Light, Well-Draining Potting Soil | Sansoti

Stephania Erecta tubers from Thailand, in sets of 3, 5 or 10

You don't buy a Stephania Erecta as a fully grown plant, but as a tuber: a round, woody caudex with a bark-like outer layer, from which a slender stem with round leaves will later grow. The tubers come from Thailand, the species' natural range. Plant the tuber about one-third of the way into well-draining potting soil, leaving the top exposed, and place it somewhere with indirect light — no direct sunlight. Water it once every one to two weeks: the caudex stores water, so overwatering is more harmful than underwatering.

Growing details at a glance

• Botanical name: Stephania Erecta, native to Thailand.
• Planting: Plant the tuber about one-third of the way into the soil, leaving the rest of the caudex visible above the ground.
• Soil: Well-draining potting soil; standing water around the tuber is the biggest risk.
• Light: Indirect light, no direct sunlight on the caudex.
• Water: Once every one to two weeks, thanks to the water-storing tuber.
• Dormant period: In the cooler months, the plant naturally enters dormancy; this is normal and not a sign that it has failed.

Why buy several at once

The tubers are sold in sets of 3, 5 or 10 for a practical reason: not every caudex starts sprouting at the same time. Planting several at once increases the chance that a few will sprout during the same period, and gives you spares to keep on hand. Tubers that sprout later are not lost — they often just follow their own rhythm, especially if they were delivered while dormant. If you want to fill several pots or give the plants as gifts, 10 is the obvious choice; 3 is enough to try the species for the first time.