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Senecio serpens (Blue Chalksticks)

Blue Chalk Stick, Blue Chalksticks, Kleinia radicans, Senecio repens, Kleinia repens, Cacalia repens, Curio repens, Senecio serpens f. cristatus, Senecio succulentus

Senecio serpens, Blue Chalk Stick, Blue Chalksticks, Kleinia radicans, Senecio repens, Kleinia repens, Blue succulent, Blue groundcover, Groundcover succulent
Senecio serpens, Blue Chalk Stick, Blue Chalksticks, Kleinia radicans, Senecio repens, Kleinia repens, Blue succulent, Blue groundcover, Groundcover succulent
Senecio serpens, Blue Chalk Stick, Blue Chalksticks, Kleinia radicans, Senecio repens, Kleinia repens, Blue succulent, Blue groundcover, Groundcover succulent

Hugging the ground, Senecio serpens (Blue Chalksticks) is a dwarf semi-trailing succulent of great ornamental appeal with its cylindrical blue-green leaves. Short, 1-2 in. long (3-5 cm), the powdery glaucous blue, finger-like fleshy leaves are borne on the prostrate stems. Ascending at first, the stems become prostrate, suckering from the base and rooting at the nodes as they touch the ground. Small creamy-white flowers held in corymbs rise just above the foliage in mid-summer to early fall (depending on growing conditions). Quickly forming a dense blue mat with its upward curving leaves, this low-growing succulent provides extraordinary form and color contrast in the landscape and makes a great small-scale groundcover.

  • Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
  • Easily grown in sandy, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in sun or light shade. Drought and heat tolerant, Senecio can survive long, dry periods.
  • Unlike many succulent plants, Senecio is a winter grower and summer dormant.
  • Excellent for rock gardens, succulent gardens, or Mediterranean gardens.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant, fire resistant.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to South Africa.

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Senecio
Common names Blue Chalksticks
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Senecio stapeliiformis (Pickle Plant)
Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
Senecio confusus (Mexican Flame Vine)
Jacobaea maritima (Dusty Miller)
Senecio vitalis (Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks)
Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
Aloe vanbalenii (Van Balen’s Aloe)
Cerastium tomentosum (Snow in Summer)
Arctotis x hybrida ‘Flame’ (African Daisy)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Senecio
Common names Blue Chalksticks
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Senecio
Guides with
Senecio
Not sure which Senecio to pick?
Compare Now

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