Happy Urban Dirt

When we say “senecio”, you certainly think of rowleyanus, which is a ball-shaped plant. However, there are many varieties within these plants, being one of them Senecio crassissimus. Have you ever heard of it?

If you like senecios, you will love this one because it is very different from the others. Find out about its features and care if you read on.

What is Senecio like?

Senecio crassissimus can also be found in stores sold as vertical senecio. And this is because of its characteristics, This bushy plant grows to a height of 60 centimetres. And yes, that means it doesn’t hang or have finite branches that bend. It’s completely different from the ones you might be familiar with. And it comes from Madagascar.

As for the plant, physically, as we tell you, it will grow in the form of a bush. It is quite leafy with its leaves and stems, so you will not have a problem with that. As for the stems, you will notice that they are straight and chunky, quite the opposite of the senecios you may be familiar with. Plus, they are purple and gray (not green as you might expect).

The leaves, in turn, are green, and their edges match the stem, because they have gray-purple shades. In addition, they are elongated, can be from 6 to 10 centimeters each and are quite chunky. Their growth, like the stems, is vertical. They grow on the stem alternately, i.e. one on one side, the other on the opposite side.

In spring, if the plant is well and properly cared for, it will usually flower. They will be minuscule and resemble daisies. They are yellow in color and will be about two centimeters in diameter. Several flowers can grow from a single flower stamen (and we have already warned you that it usually produces several stamens).

Senecio care is the thickest

After hearing the name Senecio crassimus, you may have noticed it. It’s not one of the most common ones you’ll find in stores, but it’s not tough to find or costly. So if you’re considering getting a succulent of this type, we want to lend a hand you care for it.

location and temperature

Senecio crassissimus is a garden plant and as such we recommend placing it outside, on a balcony, terrace, directly in the garden… He loves the lithe, even though he isn’t in the sun all day. This can happen in the morning or afternoon, but it is during peak activity times that leaf beetle can cause damage to leaves.

Therefore, the best location will be one that gets direct sunlight early or behind schedule in the day, and indirect lithe for the rest of the day.

At home you can have it, yes, but always placed as close to the window as possible to get the most lithe; plus a few hours of direct lithe.

Keep in mind that the more sun the better, as the edges of the leaves and even the stems will have a more intense color.

When it comes to temperature, the ideal temperature would be between 20 and 30ºC. However, It can withstand low and high temperatures without any problems. Even frost, if they are not too tough.

Subsoil

Airy, porous and drained. This is how we could describe the type of soil to exploit for Senecio crassissimus. As a succulent, which it is, it needs a suitable soil, but it is not demanding. For this reason, we can suggest soil for cacti and succulents or a universal substrate.

Apart from, you should add perlite or something similar to make it looser and not clump together over time. And finally, as a recommendation, we would say to add some worm humus to keep it slightly wet (not flooded, but has some moisture). To give you an idea, it would be: 50 substrate, 40 perlite, and 10% humus (or less).

Irrigation

Watering Senecio crassissimus is not hard, quite the opposite. At first, water only when you see that the soil is completely arid. Until it is, even if it touches you, do not water it.

Remember that if you make a mistake when watering, fungus may appear and the roots may rot.so sometimes it’s better to miss than to lose more.

One of the keys that can tell if a plant needs watering is its leaves. If the months are darker and thinner, or even wrinkled, it’s because they lack water.

Subscriber

Although succulents do not need a sub, it is not bad to add them from time to time, especially if they have been with you for a long time and you do not change the substrate often. Generally speaking, Succulent fertilizer will be fine. If you don’t have one, a universal one may work for you.

pruning

Although Senecio crassissimus does not require pruning, the plant should be inspected, removing arid, damaged leaves, etc., as well as flower shoots after pruning.

In the case of juvenile plants, if we want to give them a specific shape, we can trim them. more often, to earn it, and later, as adults, it will be just to maintain it.

Plagues and diseases

Although the elder is resistant, the cotton whitefly can harm it.

In case of diseases, The worst will be root rot caused by impoverished watering.

Multiplication

Want to recreate your Senecio crassissimus? Well, it’s as effortless as taking cuttings. When pruning, try to choose a few that are about 10 centimeters long.

You will need to wait a few days for the wound to heal (and you will have a better chance of success). Then all you have to do is plant your plant and wait for signs that it has taken root (you’ll know when it starts to sprout).

As you can see, Senecio crassissimus is one of the plants you can have in your garden without worrying that it needs a lot. Would you dare to have it?