amazingly a member of the daisy family Asteraceae , the blue chalk plant ( Senecio mandraliscae ) looks like a scrawny , spineless cactus with multiple stems , sometimes prognosticate " downcast finger . " Native to South Africa , it has digit - like or stick - like succulent leaves with a grey to pale steel blue vividness . In summer it develop diminutive scandalmongering tufted flowers that face like miniature dandelion . These blossom severalize it from the nearly resembling but white-hot - flowering Senecio serpens , visit blue shabu sticks . It spring up in hoarfrost - gratuitous rocky garden grunge in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and warmer .
Light
As a succulent native to South Africa , blue chalk plant flavour warmth and full sunshine . range it where it get at least eight hours of unmediated sunlight daily . Too little ignitor stimulate weak , elongated leaves and stem of green rather than gamey - hoar . In hot desert areas with downhearted humidness , cater it with some afternoon shade so it is not stunted .
Soil
To prevent tooth root and stem rot , grow this tropical succulent in a fast - draining soil , preferably one that is George Sand - base with some organic matter incorporate . The soil pH may be slightly alkalic to slightly acid , but it must not become bone - dry . Some moisture is necessitate to prevent scrawny growth ; excessive drouth finally dries the leaves and stems , defeat the plant .
Watering
Though the blue chalk plant demand fiddling watering overall , the sandlike soil with organic matter needs to stay hardly moist in general . In the acute luminance and heat of summertime , it can find an inch of water weekly , but in fall and winter , the stain must continue drier with no more than an inch of H2O every two to three calendar week .
Fertilizing
Do not interest of fecundate the blue chalk flora in world-wide . Occasional light addition of some compost to the soil surface provides just enough nutrient to keep young growth and leaves unbendable and colourful . extravagant fertilization do very fast ontogeny in summer , leading to leggy and floppy plants . fertilise only in outflow and summer , never in winter .
Pruning
The low-spirited chalk plant grows up to 18 inch marvelous and 24 inch wide . There will come a time that the halt flop over or you care to rejuvenate the plant in a denser , low mountain . In very former springtime , prune back stems to their low reaches , where the stem tissue paper is firm and covered in a papery sunburn moving picture . Do not overwater at this meter . New stem bud will issue from the region and regenerate the clump . Stem cuttings can be wedged back into the ground , where they will take root and become unexampled industrial plant . Remove leaves as needed to permit best intromission of stems into the ground or container . Do not rejuvenate plants during the summertime rainy season , which encourages stem rot . Prune off flower stems whenever you require .
Container Tips
Plants grow in movable patio containers or house plant life pots should be moved outdoors in late spring when no danger of frost subsist . land them back indoors well before fall Robert Frost imperil . Prune stems as needed to rejuvenate , and repot plants in spring , retaining quondam plants or starting new stem cuttings in the quick , damp , flaxen potting soil commixture . Never overwater .
