Plant Care Library

Other Names:  Propeller Plant

Description:

An interesting, unusual variety featuring thick, purple stems holding stiff, flat, oval leaves with purple margins that are oriented vertically; yellow daisy flowers rise up in winter; a perfect accent in rock gardens, containers, or massed as groundcover

Ornamental Features

Vertical Leaf Senecio features showy panicles of yellow daisy flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late winter. Its attractive succulent oval leaves emerge light green in spring, turning grayish green in color with distinctive purple edges and tinges of silver the rest of the year. The plum purple stems are very colorful and add to the overall interest of the plant.

Landscape Attributes

Vertical Leaf Senecio is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Vertical Leaf Senecio is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Vertical Leaf Senecio will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

Vertical Leaf Senecio is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.