Senecio serpens
Senecio serpens, commonly known as Blue Chalksticks, is a striking, low-growing succulent with a spreading habit. Its fleshy, cylindrical leaves are a distinctive powdery blue-grey, giving the plant a cool, muted appearance. The leaves grow densely along trailing or upright stems, forming a lush, textured groundcover or cascading effect in containers. In summer, small white flowers may emerge, contrasting subtly against the blue foliage.
Cultural
Senecio serpens will tolerate part shade, though this may cause stems to elongate and become less compact. Best grown in loam to sandy soils with low to moderate fertility.
Soil:
Requires a light, well-drained soil, suitable for poor soils.
Aspect:
Full sun to part shade.
Maintenance:
Remove dead or damaged growth as required. Can be susceptible to scale and mealybugs- treat accordingly. Has low nutrient requirements so fertilising is not necessary.
Water Requirements:
Drought tolerant once established. Will not tolerate wet soil.
Seasonal Interest:
Summer to autumn flowering, year round foliage interest.
Landscape Uses
A versatile and visually striking succulent, ideal for a range of landscaping applications. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it perfect as a ground cover, helping to suppress weeds and stabilise soil on slopes or embankments. It thrives in rockeries, where its blue-green foliage contrasts beautifully with stone and other drought-tolerant plants. This succulent is well-suited to coastal gardens, as it withstands salt-laden winds and sandy soils. It also works effectively in container plantings, either as a feature plant or spilling over the edges for a cascading effect.
Dimensions
Height to 15cm
Spread to 60cm
Spread to 60cm