If you're looking for a popular trailing plant that creates great groundcover: then, look no further than the Senecio mandraliscae also known as Blue Chalk Sticks or Blue Chalk Finger! This unique spreading succulent, hailing from South Africa, produces pencil-like, blue-green fleshy leaves that forms a dense mat and is of great ornamental appeal as one of the most popular and trendy groundcovers.
In the summer and early autumn, this plant produces tiny white flowers on top of the foliage. You will notice that the leaves tend to curl upward, making it look like it's stretching out for some sunshine. It's like a little garden masterpiece!
But there's more to this plant than its good looks - it's also drought tolerant and incredibly easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners or anyone looking to add a splash of color to a large planter or border area of your garden.
Watering Needs
When it comes to watering your succulent, be mindful of the frequency and the amount of water you give. Make sure to allow the topsoil to dry between each watering session and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. This is especially the case with blue chalk sticks, as they don't do well in moist soil, which can result in root rot.
Watch out for signs of dehydration, such as a pale discoloration and shriveled stem, indicating that the succulent is consuming its interior water supply.
Besides hydrating correctly, it's also crucial to ensure that the potting soil drains quickly to avoid damaging succulent roots. As drought-tolerant plants, these chalk sticks Senecio can thrive with less frequent watering, and if you forget to water them for a month or more, they will probably survive just fine.
Light Requirements
Providing enough light for these desert succulents is one of the most important aspects of their care. It is important to grow blue chalk sticks in areas that receive at least 4-6 hours of bright, direct light every day to keep them happy. To avoid discoloration, provide partial shade during periods of intense heat.
If indoors, place your chalk stick plant directly in front of a west- or south-facing window. If they don't receive enough light, their stems may grow leggy and become paler, and their spines will shorten, so make your succulent happy and give it plenty of light.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The blue chalk sticks favor very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and, most likely, root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally, use our specialized potting mix that contains over 10 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizers, organic fertilizers also last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage plant health and nutrient absorption. So, skip those harsh chemicals and give your succulent some love with some awesome organic fertilizer!
Hardiness Zones & More
Typically grown in hot, arid desert regions, Senecio mandraliscae succulent thrives indoors in warm, dry surroundings. These chalk sticks are hardy in USDA regions 9 to 11, which means they can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F. You can also grow these succulents outdoors year-round, but they are not cold- or frost-tolerant, so you should plant them indoors or put them in a pot and move them indoors during the winter if you live outside of these regions.
Keep your blue chalk stick away from cold, drafty windows and air vents if you are growing it indoors in a cold climate.
We think you will love this plant – order your very own Senecio mandraliscae today and start enjoying its beauty in no time!
| Bloom Season | Summer |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Senecio mandraliscae |
| Common Name | Blue Chalk Sticks |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Flower Color | Dull-white |
| Genus | Senecio |
| Growth Habit | Trailing |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide |
| Native Area | South Africa |
| Plant Type | Perennial Succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, deer resistance, heat resistance |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulent potting soil |
| Special Features | Easy to grow, showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to cats, friendly to dogs |
| Watering Needs | Low |
- Description
- Key Plant Features
If you're looking for a popular trailing plant that creates great groundcover: then, look no further than the Senecio mandraliscae also known as Blue Chalk Sticks or Blue Chalk Finger! This unique spreading succulent, hailing from South Africa, produces pencil-like, blue-green fleshy leaves that forms a dense mat and is of great ornamental appeal as one of the most popular and trendy groundcovers.
In the summer and early autumn, this plant produces tiny white flowers on top of the foliage. You will notice that the leaves tend to curl upward, making it look like it's stretching out for some sunshine. It's like a little garden masterpiece!
But there's more to this plant than its good looks - it's also drought tolerant and incredibly easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners or anyone looking to add a splash of color to a large planter or border area of your garden.
Watering Needs
When it comes to watering your succulent, be mindful of the frequency and the amount of water you give. Make sure to allow the topsoil to dry between each watering session and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. This is especially the case with blue chalk sticks, as they don't do well in moist soil, which can result in root rot.
Watch out for signs of dehydration, such as a pale discoloration and shriveled stem, indicating that the succulent is consuming its interior water supply.
Besides hydrating correctly, it's also crucial to ensure that the potting soil drains quickly to avoid damaging succulent roots. As drought-tolerant plants, these chalk sticks Senecio can thrive with less frequent watering, and if you forget to water them for a month or more, they will probably survive just fine.
Light Requirements
Providing enough light for these desert succulents is one of the most important aspects of their care. It is important to grow blue chalk sticks in areas that receive at least 4-6 hours of bright, direct light every day to keep them happy. To avoid discoloration, provide partial shade during periods of intense heat.
If indoors, place your chalk stick plant directly in front of a west- or south-facing window. If they don't receive enough light, their stems may grow leggy and become paler, and their spines will shorten, so make your succulent happy and give it plenty of light.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The blue chalk sticks favor very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and, most likely, root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally, use our specialized potting mix that contains over 10 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive.
When it comes to fertilizers, organic fertilizers also last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage plant health and nutrient absorption. So, skip those harsh chemicals and give your succulent some love with some awesome organic fertilizer!
Hardiness Zones & More
Typically grown in hot, arid desert regions, Senecio mandraliscae succulent thrives indoors in warm, dry surroundings. These chalk sticks are hardy in USDA regions 9 to 11, which means they can withstand temperatures as low as 20°F. You can also grow these succulents outdoors year-round, but they are not cold- or frost-tolerant, so you should plant them indoors or put them in a pot and move them indoors during the winter if you live outside of these regions.
Keep your blue chalk stick away from cold, drafty windows and air vents if you are growing it indoors in a cold climate.
We think you will love this plant – order your very own Senecio mandraliscae today and start enjoying its beauty in no time!
| Bloom Season | Summer |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Senecio mandraliscae |
| Common Name | Blue Chalk Sticks |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Flower Color | Dull-white |
| Genus | Senecio |
| Growth Habit | Trailing |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness Zone | 9, 10, 11 |
| Mature Size | 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide |
| Native Area | South Africa |
| Plant Type | Perennial Succulent |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings |
| Resistance | Drought tolerant, deer resistance, heat resistance |
| Soil PH | 6.5, Acidic, Neutral |
| Soil Type | specialized succulent potting soil |
| Special Features | Easy to grow, showy flowers |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun, partial shade |
| Toxicity | Safe for humans, friendly to cats, friendly to dogs |
| Watering Needs | Low |