Photo of Senecio repens foliage by michaelday_bath

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Senecio repens

Scientific Name: Curio repens

Also Known As

  • Curio repens 'Mini Blue'
  • Kleinia repens
  • Senecio repens
  • Senecio repens 'Mini Blue'
  • Senecio serpens
  • Blue Chalksticks
  • Chalksticks
  • Compact Blue Chalksticks

Plant type

shrub, cactus / succulent, groundcover

size

  • H: 6"-12"
  • W: 24"-36"

planting zones

  • 9b-12

More Options

Senecio repens plant details

Senecio repens is an evergreen groundcover cactus / succulent or shrub with blue foliage. In summer chartreuse and white flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Senecio repens

Plant type: groundcover cactus / succulent or shrub
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 24 IN - 36 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: chartreuse and white blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, firescaping/fire wise, houseplant, spreading, textural, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Senecio repens

USDA Zones: 9b - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Senecio serpens ‘Compact Blue Chalksticks’, is a more compact form of the popular succulent plant. Take a look at these dramatic, upright succulent ‘fingers’! A thick waxy exterior makes them resemble rounded, blue-grey chalk sticks. This plant is fast growing, eventually forming a dense mat of foliage. Displays small branches of spherical white flowers in summer. Provide a well-drained soil away from reflected heat. Requires little water once established. Ideal in warm climate landscapes and container gardens, but is especially happy sitting on your windowsill as a houseplant. Protect your PRINCE OF PARADISE™ plant from frost!
An interesting and tender species, with very attractive succulent powder blue stems, commonly known as Blue Chalksticks, our plants are upright despite the name, with the typical Senecio flowers. ZONE 8
Full Sun to Partial Shade. Indoor/Outdoor. White.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Low succulent similar to S. mandraliscae but growing to 12" tall with 1-2" long light gray or bluish leaves. Remove flower heads for cleaner appearance. Hardy to 20F. South Africa.
Thick blue tubular leaves, branches from base, groundcover.
Grow this shorter form of Senecio repens where a smaller scale is desired. We love how its powder blue foliage sets off other tones in low planters and vertical gardens. Grows under 4" tall and spreads slowly. shipping 4" pots.
Tender succulent from South Africa with glaucous, powder blue finger like leaves on creeping stems that root; hardy to about 20 degrees or seasonal outdoor plant that can easily be overwintered under cover. Adapts happily to containers; makes a terribly interesting ground cover in warmer climates. About 12" tall, spreading 2-3' or more. Easy!
Tinier, tidier “Blue Fingers”! Ground-hugging & ever-blue, this semi-trailing groundcover is in some ways an improvement over the similar (but larger) Senecio mandraliscae. Both have appealing “blue-fingered” texture & make an easy & attractive edging, as well as a fab foil for neighboring plants, particularly those that are lime in hue. I can’t really condemn Senecio mandraliscae, but it does grow bigger, faster & is a more gangly plant overall. It’s nice to have different blue fingered plant options for different circumstances, yeah? Grows up to 1’ tall & about 2’ wide.

Gardening facts about Senecio repens plant

How to Grow Senecio repens

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • lean
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • seaside / salt tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • white
    • chartreuse
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
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