Senecio mandraliscae or Blue Chalksticks

Care of the succulent plant Senecio mandraliscae or Blue Chalksticks

The genus Senecio, family Asteraceae, comprises 1,6000 species of herbaceous succulent plants and shrubs distributed over all continents. Some species are: Senecio mandraliscae, Senecio kleinia, Senecio cruentus, Senecio barbertonicus, Senecio angulatus, Senecio stapeliiformis, Senecio serpens, Senecio elegans, Senecio macroglossus, Senecio bicolor, Senecio mikanioides, Senecio jacobsenii, Senecio pseudolongifolius, Senecio scaposus, Senecio compactus, Senecio petasitis, Senecio rowleyanus.

Common names: Blue Chalksticks, Bluefinger, Blue finger. This species is native to Southern Africa.

They are succulent plants of rapid growth and creeping bearing that reach 40 cm (15.74") in height. The fleshy leaves are bluish in color and have a cylindrical shape ending in a point. The flowers are small, yellowish-white, and are not decorative.

They are used in rockeries, to cover slopes, in low walls and in planters or hanging pots. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

Senecio mandraliscae can grow in full sun or semi-shade exposures (if the summer is very hot). They do not resist frost or temperatures below 5 ºC (41 ºF).

The soil can be commercial cactus soil or a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse sand, peat moss, and leaf mulch.

Water moderately, waiting for the soil to dry out (every 15 days in summer, every 20 days in spring and every 30 days in autumn). In winter do not water because the plant goes to rest.

Fertilize with mineral fertilizer for succulents once in early spring and again in early summer.

Prune in late winter or early spring to control growth.

Sometimes they can be attacked by mealybugs and aphids, especially if it's very hot.

They are propagated by stem or leaf cuttings in spring and summer or from seeds sown in spring in a sandy substrate.