Curio ficoides
| Light | Full sun to bright light; the powdery blue colour is strongest in strong light |
|---|---|
| Water | Low; water when the soil has dried, more freely in the growing season, sparingly in winter |
| Soil | Very free-draining gritty mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (primary); very easy |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic if eaten; like many Senecio relatives it contains alkaloids, so best kept away from pets and children |
Curio ficoides is an upright, shrubby succulent from South Africa, grown for its architectural stems and its powdery, blue-grey, flattened leaves. Formerly placed in the large genus Senecio as Senecio ficoides, it is one of several chalky-leaved species now gathered into the genus Curio. Its erect, branching habit and dusty pastel foliage have earned it common names such as blue chalksticks and skyscraper senecio.
Description
Curio ficoides grows into a loose, upright to sprawling shrublet, with stout stems that can reach roughly half a metre or more in good conditions before the weight of growth causes them to lean and layer. The leaves are the main attraction: narrow, flattened (laterally compressed) and tapering at both ends, often marked with fine translucent lines, held more or less erect along the stems and coated in a fine, waxy bloom that gives them their signature chalky blue-grey to blue-green colour. Rubbed away, the bloom does not readily return on that leaf, so plants are best handled sparingly.
In its season the plant produces small, brush-like flower heads on branched stalks held above the foliage. The flowers are typically pale cream to off-white and, as with many members of the daisy family (Asteraceae), are modest rather than showy — most growers keep the species purely for its foliage and form.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to South Africa, where it grows in dry, sunny sites on rocky slopes and in open scrub. Like other blue chalksticks it is adapted to bright light and long dry spells, storing water in its fleshy stems and leaves and relying on the waxy bloom to reflect intense sun and reduce water loss.
Cultivation
Curio ficoides is an easy, fast and forgiving succulent, and a good choice for beginners. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and give it as much light as you can — full sun to very bright conditions bring out the bluest, most compact growth, while too little light causes the stems to stretch, lean and lose their tidy shape. Water thoroughly once the soil has dried, easing off in winter when the plant is resting. See Watering for general technique.
Because the stems grow tall and eventually flop, plants can be pruned to keep them bushy; the trimmings root easily as new plants. In cold climates it is best grown in a container that can be moved under cover before frost. Repot only when it has outgrown its pot — see Repotting.
Propagation
Propagation is very simple from stem cuttings. Take a length of stem, let the cut end callus for a few days, then set it in a gritty, barely-moist mix; it will usually root quickly in warm, bright conditions. Longer stems that lean over will often root where they touch the soil, so the plant more or less layers itself. Seed is possible but rarely bothered with, as cuttings are so reliable.
Common problems
- Etiolation — the most common issue; in too little light the stems stretch, pale and flop, losing the compact upright habit. Move to brighter light and prune back.
- Rot — from overwatering or a heavy, water-retentive mix; stems soften and collapse, especially in winter. Keep the mix sharp and let it dry between waterings.
- Lost bloom — the powdery coating is easily rubbed off by handling, leaving green marks; it grows back only on new growth, so avoid touching the leaves.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the leaf axils) and the occasional aphid on flower stalks are the usual culprits. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Curio — the genus overview
- Senecio — the genus it was formerly placed in
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases