Alphabetical Plant Listing

Senecio vitalis (Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks)

Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks, Blue Chalk Fingers, Senecio talinoides subs. cylindricus, Senecio cylindricus, Kleinia cylindrica


Senecio vitalis (Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks) is a spreading evergreen succulent of great ornamental appeal with its cylindrical gray-green foliage. Its slender, slightly upcurved leaves, 3-5 in. long (7-12 cm), are glaucous-gray, finger-like. They encircle the trailing stems and form handsome tufts at the stem tips. Erect at first, the stems become procumbent and often root at the nodes as they touch the ground. Small creamy-white flowers held in corymbs rise just above the foliage in late spring to early summer. Quickly forming a dense mat with its upward curving leaves, Senecio vitalis makes a great finely textured, medium height groundcover and provides extraordinary form and color contrast in the landscape.

  • Grows up to 18-24 in. tall (45-60 cm) and 3-5 ft. wide (90-150 cm).
  • Easily grown in sandy, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in sun or light shade. Drought tolerant, Senecio can survive long, dry periods. Irrigate little to occasionally.
  • Unlike many succulent plants, Senecio is a winter grower and summer-dormant.
  • Excellent for rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens.
  • Deer resistant.
  • Easily propagated from cuttings.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa

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Requirements

Hardiness 10 – 11
Climate Zones 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Senecio
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Senecio

Guides with Senecio


Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com, Debora Carl Landscapes, (c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com, 

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 10 – 11
Climate Zones 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Senecio
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 3' – 5' (90cm – 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Deer, Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Senecio

Guides with Senecio

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Senecio vitalis (Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks)

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