Curio ficoides
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Curio ficoides

Blue chalk stick · Silver senecio · Blue Mountain Fingers

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
5–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
28
Observations
23

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Curio ficoides, syn. Senecio ficoides, also known as skyscraper senecio, Mount Everest senecio or flat-leaved senecio, is a species of succulent plant, in the genus Curio (Asteraceae), indigenous to South Africa.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Blue chalkstick excels in dry conditions, showing remarkable drought tolerance and requiring water only once every three weeks. This versatile evergreen can withstand a wide range of climates and temperature fluctuations, making it suitable for both arid and humid environments.

☀️ Light Full sun

Native to arid regions, Blue chalkstick thrives in full sun, as its natural habitat is marked by intense sunlight and minimal shade. It also tolerates partial sun, providing some flexibility in its growth.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Blue chalkstick grows best in warm environments, favoring temperatures of 68 to 100°F (20 to 38°C). To promote optimal growth, change indoor temperatures with the seasons so they stay within this preferred range.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 5-7
Soil pH: 5-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Blue chalkstick only needs light applications of fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season. Do not fertilize in winter or summer when it is dormant. Use less fertilizer for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before applying any fertilizer. Fertilizing promotes healthy growth and encourages blooms.

🪴 Pot & Repot Every 12 months
Suggested frequency: Every 12 months
✂️ Pruning

Blue chalkstick is a low-growing succulent known for its blue-grey foliage. To improve its health and appearance, prune it in early spring by removing dead stems and any leggy branches. Regular trimming encourages dense growth, helps prevent disease, and maintains a compact shape. Be sure to use clean, sharp tools for effective pruning.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Succulent
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Curio
Family
Asteraceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
20 cm
Mature Spread
40 cm
Leaf Color
Blue, Light Blue
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Size
1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Planting Time
Spring, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall, Early winter
Native Area
South Africa

Tags (4)

Common Names (3)

en Blue chalk stick
en Silver senecio
en Blue Mountain Fingers