Senecio articulatus
| Light | Bright light to gentle sun; some afternoon shade in hot climates |
|---|---|
| Water | Water in autumn through spring; keep dry in summer dormancy |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (very easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Toxic if eaten; like most Senecio, contains compounds harmful to pets and people |
Senecio articulatus — widely known as the candle plant or hot dog cactus — is a quirky South African succulent grown for its curious jointed stems. The plant produces upright, sausage-like segments of grey-green, powdery-blue stem that snap apart cleanly at the joints, giving it the appearance of a string of little candles or link sausages. Despite the "cactus" nickname it is not a cactus at all but a member of the daisy family, and one of the easiest of all succulents to grow and share. It is sometimes placed in the genus Curio as Curio articulatus.
Description
Senecio articulatus grows as a clump of erect or sprawling stems built from distinct, swollen segments, each a few centimetres long and constricted at the joints where one links to the next. The stems are a soft blue-grey, often faintly striped or marbled with darker green or purplish lines, and coated in a waxy glaucous bloom that rubs off easily. Small, fleshy leaves emerge from the upper joints, typically lobed and blue-green with reddish or purple undersides; these are usually shed as the plant enters summer dormancy, leaving the bare jointed stems that give the plant its character.
In autumn and winter, established plants may send up slender flower stalks topped with small, off-white to pale-yellow daisy-family flowerheads. The blooms are modest and carry a scent many growers find unpleasant, so the plant is grown far more for its stems than its flowers.
A striking purple-stemmed form, often sold as Senecio articulatus 'Candlelight, shows strong lavender and cream variegation and is popular with collectors.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to South Africa, centred on the Eastern Cape, where it grows in dry scrub and rocky ground. In cultivation it is usually treated as winter-growing: it tends to grow actively through the cooler, moister months and to rest through hot, dry summers — a rhythm worth keeping in mind when watering.
Cultivation
The candle plant is undemanding and forgiving, which makes it a good choice for beginners. Grow it in a gritty, very free-draining mix in a pot with ample drainage, and give it bright light — plenty of sun keeps the stems compact and enhances the blue-grey and purple tones, while too little light causes lanky, weak growth.
Being winter-growing, it prefers to be watered from autumn through spring, whenever the soil has dried out, and kept largely dry during its summer rest when the leaves drop. That said, the plant is tolerant of a more conventional watering schedule as long as the mix drains fast and never stays soggy. Protect it from frost; it is happiest kept above freezing. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
The jointed stems are brittle by nature and break apart readily — a feature, not a fault, since each fallen piece roots easily. Handle plants gently when moving or repotting.
Propagation
Propagation could hardly be simpler. Stems naturally separate at the joints, and a detached segment laid on or pushed lightly into dry, gritty mix will root within a couple of weeks. Let the cut end callus for a day or two first, then keep the mix barely moist until roots take hold. This is the standard and near-foolproof method — see Propagation — cuttings. Seed is also possible but rarely necessary given how freely the plant grows from pieces.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of loss, almost always from overwatering, watering during summer dormancy, or a mix that holds too much moisture.
- Etiolation — in low light the segments stretch, pale and flop over, losing the neat candle-like form.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff at the joints and leaf bases) and the occasional aphid on new growth; see Pests and diseases.
- Leaf drop — shedding leaves in summer is normal dormancy behaviour, not a sign of trouble.
See also
- Senecio — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases