Senecio Serpens, also known as Blue Chalksticks, is a frost-tender perennial native to South Africa. This plant has a spreading habit of 12" tall and 24-36" wide, larger overall than Mini Blue and shorter and tidier than Mandraliscae. Blue-green leaves develop a purple tint in high heat or intense sun, and white flowers bloom in summer and fall. Serpens is slow-growing and drought-tolerant, flourishing in full sun with well-draining soil. It excels in containers indoors or as a groundcover or addition to a xeriscape or border in warm climates. Bring outdoor containers inside over the winter in cold areas. Create a stunning houseplant collection by growing Serpens alongside Crassillimus.
Senecio Serpens Selling Tips
Sell Senecio Serpens to customers looking for a low-maintenance succulent as a gift, for a rock garden, or to add to a houseplant collection. Serpens offers fleshy purple-tinged blue-green leaves on upright stems 12" tall, forming a dense mat 24-36" wide. This species is lower, slower-growing, and tidier than Mandraliscae. This evergreen plant blooms with white flowers in summer and fall. Senecio Serpens flourishes outdoors in zone 10-11, requiring little water and full sun. It is a superb addition to containers, houseplant collections, or as a compact groundcover in frost-free xeriscapes or borders. Bring containers indoors in cold climates. Create a stunning show of color and texture by pairing this plant with Phlox, Sedum, Echeveria, Aloe, and Kalanchoe.
Coach Your Customer
1. Plant in well-draining peat, sand, and perlite mixture in full or partial sun.
2. Water thoroughly and allow the soil to dry before watering again.
3. Bring outdoor containers indoors for the winter in cold climates.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Senecio Serpens, plant one rooted plug per 4-inch container, three plugs per 1-gallon container, or 4-5 plugs per 10-inch container. Use a well-drained mix of peat, sand, and perlite with a pH of 5.7-6.2, EC (2:1) of .50-1.0, low feed (75-125 ppm N), daytime temperatures of 65-75, and nighttime temperatures of 58-70. This plant doesn't require pinching. Supply 5,000-7,500 foot candles of light. Water thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry before watering again. With no overwatering, any disease is rare among this plant. You may see aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Flowering
Primarily grown for its foliage, this plant blooms with white flowers in summer and fall.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow around the base of each plant and to allow sunlight to penetrate to the soil level.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs.
Pests
You may see aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Disease
This plant isn't prone to disease. Do not overwater. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering.
Planting Senecio Serpens Liners
We recommend planting one rooted liner per 4-inch container, three per 6-inch or 8-inch container, or 4-5 liners per 10-inch container. Use a well-drained mix of peat, sand, and perlite and completely bury the ellepot in the center or equally spaced in the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Senecio Serpens Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 6-8 Weeks |
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| 10 Inch crop time | 12-16 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Fall, Summer |
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| Color | White |
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| Habit | Spreading, Upright |
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| Height | 12 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 58 |
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| Perennial Zone | 10-11 |
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| Water Needs | Light |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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