Senecio kleiniiformis
| Light | Bright light to a few hours of direct sun; some afternoon shade in hot climates |
|---|---|
| Water | Water when the soil has dried; reduce sharply in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining, gritty succulent mix |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; roughly USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (easiest); also division |
| Toxicity | Toxic if eaten; contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids — keep away from pets and children |
Senecio kleiniiformis (now often placed in the genus Curio) is a small South African leaf succulent grown for its unusual, arrow- or spearhead-shaped grey-green leaves held on upright stems. The distinctive foliage — each leaf like a tiny halberd, often with two backward-pointing lobes at the base — has earned it the common names spear head and spearhead Senecio.
Description
Senecio kleiniiformis is a clumping succulent that forms a cluster of short, erect stems and builds up slowly over time. The leaves are its main attraction: thick, waxy and grey-green with a fine bluish bloom, shaped like a spear or arrowhead, and usually bearing a pair of small lobes near the base so that each leaf resembles a little trident or halberd. The upper surface is often faintly grooved or channelled along its length.
Leaves are carried on erect, somewhat woody stems that can lengthen and lean over time, giving older plants a sprawling habit. In good light and with a proper seasonal rest, mature clumps may produce small brush-like flower heads on tall stalks; the flowers are modest and yellowish, and most growers keep the plant chiefly for its foliage.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to South Africa, where it grows in dry, well-drained ground. Like many of its relatives it is adapted to bright conditions, lean soils and long dry spells, storing water in its fleshy leaves and stems to ride out drought. Much of the material in cultivation has been propagated vegetatively for generations, so garden plants are widespread and easy to obtain.
Cultivation
Senecio kleiniiformis is an easy-going succulent that asks mainly for sharp drainage and plenty of light. Grow it in a gritty, mostly mineral mix in a pot with good drainage, and give it bright light with a few hours of gentle sun; too little light makes the stems stretch and flop, and the leaves lose their tidy shape. A little shade from the fiercest afternoon sun helps in very hot climates.
Water thoroughly once the soil has dried out, then let it dry again before the next drink — the fleshy leaves resent sitting in constantly damp soil. Cut watering back through the cooler months, when the plant is resting. It is not frost-hardy, so keep it above freezing and bring it indoors or under cover where winters are cold. Repot every couple of years to refresh the mix and divide crowded clumps; see Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Propagation is simple and usually done from stem cuttings. Take a length of stem, let the cut end callus for a day or two, then set it in a gritty mix and keep it barely moist until roots form. Crowded clumps can also be lifted and divided, with each rooted piece potted up separately. Cuttings root readily in the warmer part of the year.
Common problems
- Etiolation — in poor light the stems stretch, lean and lose their upright habit, and the spearhead leaves become sparse; move the plant somewhere brighter.
- Rot — overwatering or a slow-draining mix causes stems and leaves to soften and collapse from the base.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the leaf axils) and the occasional aphid on flower stalks are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Curio — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases