Senecio serpens (Blue Chalksticks Plant) Care Indoors; Watering, Propagation, Problems

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Senecio serpens (Curio repens) also called Blue Chalksticks Plant or Dead Man's Fingers is one of the low-growing Senecio varieties, featuring fleshy, cylindrical, powdery, blue-green leaves on stems which start off erect then lie prostrate and root at the nodes as they grow.

Blue Chalksticks Plant's odd shaped leaves is an adaptation to arid conditions and allows for the storage of water while exposing minimum surface area to the dry air.

This greatly reduces water loss as the fleshy leaves and stems store water, which allows the Dead Man's Fingers Plant to go for a considerably long period without being watered. This places this plant among the drought-tolerant plants for the home.

On account of its requirement for very bright light with exposure to some direct sunshine, Blue Chalksticks Plant is one of the sun-loving succulents for a sunny location in the home.

Botanical name: Senecio serpens
Synonmy: Curio repens, Senecio repens
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: Blue Chalksticks Plant, Dead Man's Fingers

Origin

Senecio serpens also called Senecio repens is a perennial, succulent plant native to the Western Cape Province of South Africa where it is found growing from crevices in the rocky sandstone slopes.

The Senecio serpens has been reclassified as Curio repens. The genus name, 'repens' means creeping which is in reference to the creeping growth habit of the plant.

Size

Blue Chalksticks Plant grows to a height of 1 ft by 2-3 feet wide. The finger-like leaves are about 1-2 inches long.

Is Senecio serpens poisonous?

Yes. Senecio serpens like other Senecio species is toxic to humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. They contain Pyrrolizidine alkaloids which if is ingested, can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Contact with the plant sap may cause skin irritation or skin rash in sensitive skin therefore, always wear gloves when handling the plant.< Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets to avoid mishaps.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Blue Chalksticks Plants to your collection? You may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Senecio serpens Indoors

To care for Senecio serpens indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 20-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, loose, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Curio repens requires pruning to keep the plant neat and to reduce pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when the plant has become root-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Blue Chalksticks Plant?

Water Blue Chalksticks Plant liberally in spring and fall until water flows out through the drainage hole. Allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Significantly, decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period as it can result in wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf loss. In addition, avoid chlorinated water as it can lead to browning of leaves.

Confirm that soil is fast-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Avoid wetting the foliage during watering to reduce fungal diseases; you may water from the bottom. Ensure to empty the catchplate after watering to prevent soil sogginess.

Light Requirements

Do Blue Chalksticks Plants need full sun?

Yes. Blue Chalksticks Plants grow best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Keep them away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

You may also grow Senecio serpens under grow lights where the natural light is not sufficient, as too little light will result in leggy growth, yellowing and leaf drop.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth as well as prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Blue Chalksticks Plant thrives in a warmth of 20-27⁰C; a room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.

Keep Senecio serpens away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows, stoves to prevent temperature flactuations which can cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Curio repens has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Ensure good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases infestations.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Blue Chalksticks Plant should be rich, loose and fast-draining to prevent waterlogging. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is fitting as it drains quickly.

Fertilizer

Feed your Blue Chalksticks Plant monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer during the growing season to promote a lush growth. This plant is not a heavy feeder so be careful when feeding.

Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Repotting

Blue Chalksticks Plant has a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot it at the beginning of the growing season, only when it is crowded in its current pot.

Use a pot only 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Use a shallow pot as the root system is tiny and be careful not to bury the stems to prevent rotting. Check out these succulents pots on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Blue Chalksticks Plant involves removal of any dead flowers, leaves and stems to keep the plant neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations.

Senecio serpens Propagation

Blue Chalksticks Plant is best propagated from leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or by plant division, at the beginning of the growing season.

1. Propagating Blue Chalksticks Plant from leaf cuttings

1. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant and ensure each leaf cutting is whole.


2. Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the leaf cuttings to prevent rotting.


3. Insert about 1.5 inches of the leaf cuttings in moist, cactus and succulents mix and lightly firm the soil around the cutting.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


5. Maintain the soil moist until when plantlets form at the base of the cuttings. Allow enough time for substantial growth of the roots and new leaves.


6. Transfer the rooted cuttings to individual pots in well-draining soil. For a fuller plant, transfer several plantlets into one pot.


7. Wet the soil thoroughly until water comes out through the drainage holes.


8. Position the pots in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight.


9. Maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Blue Chalksticks Plant from stem cuttings

1. Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant and allow the cuttings to dry (callus) for about 2-3 days.


2. Insert 2-3 inches of the lower cutend of the cuttings in moist, cactus and succulents soil and lightly press the soil around the cuttings.


3. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


4. Keep the soil moist until when the stems are rooted and subtancial growth is observed.


5. Once well established, transplant the new plants into pots one size larger and begin begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transplant several cuttings into one pot.

3. Propagating Chalksticks Plant by plant division

1. Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.


2. Slip the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections by pulling apart the roots. Ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten establishment.


3. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot that has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging.


4. Fill the pot with cactus and succulents potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.


5. Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base. Take care not to bury it too deep; maintain it at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.


6. Wet the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new plant is well established, after which you can begin routine care.

Senecio serpens Problems & Solutions

Blue Chalksticks Plant problems are plant dying, yellowing, leggy growth, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Plant dying

Why are my Blue Chalksticks dying?

Your Blue Chalksticks are dying due to basal stem-rot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions. It presents with a rotting plant base, yellowing, browning and sudden plant collapse.

The disease is difficult to treat because it spreads very quickly. Use the healthy stems to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts together with the soil and pot to minimize spread. However, if you catch it early, treat the plant as follows:

How to treat early infestation

1. Cut and discard or burn the diseased tissue to prevent spread.


2. Repot the plant in a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.


3. Keep the soil on the drier side; do not water for 10-14 days to allow the plant enough time to recover.


4. Maintain good airflow to discourage the disease infestation.


5. Place the plant away from cold drafts to prevent sudden temperature drops.

Yellowing

Why are my Blue Chalksticks turning yellow?

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Blue Chalksticks are insufficient light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress among others.

How to fix it

Insufficient light: Position the plant in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunshine or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top half of the soil feels dry to touch; do not water on a schedule.

Soggy soil: Use fast-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents, heat sources among others.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth with elongated stems on Blue Chalksticks Plant is caused by soggy soil or inadequate light.

How to fix it

Soggy soil: Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining.

Inadequate light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunshine or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on Blue Chalksticks Plant is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or use of cold water.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top half of soil dries out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and a well-draining soil.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.

Use of cold water: Use tepid water (water that is at room temperature) to avoid cold shock.

Pests

Common pests of Blue Chalksticks Plant are spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs which are common in very dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Seperate the infested plant to reduce spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to depress the pests infestation.

Diseases

Senecio serpens is prone to the following diseases:

1. Powdery mildew and is prevalent in warm, humid conditions. The disease is characterized by spotting or coating of the leaf surface with a white powdery deposit.

How to fix it

1. Remove the badly affected leaves and discard or burn to reduce spread to other parts of the plant.


2. Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Improve air circulation to discourage the disease.

2. Leaf spot disease which is promoted by poor air circulation and is characterized by brown, soft leaf spots.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as indicated by the manufacturer.


3. Ensure free air circulation to discourage the disease.


4. Avoid wetting the foliage during watering or water the plant from the bottom.


5. Allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings.


6. Use a pot that has a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.

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