Senecio serpens Dwarf Blue - Blue chalksticks

Plant Senecio serpens 'Dwarf Blue' in spring, after the last frosts, in the ground in a very mild climate or in a large pot elsewhere. Place it in very well-draining soil, mixing coarse sand, gravel or pozzolana into your garden soil if needed. Choose a sheltered, warm, very sunny to partially shaded position. A few generous waterings in summer, in dry and hot weather, will stimulate its growth. It tolerates periods of summer and winter drought well. Outdoors, without protection, but planted in a rock garden, this plant can withstand temperatures down to -3/-5°C at peak: the above-ground parts die back, and the plant regrows from its roots the following spring.

Container cultivation is ideal in cool or damp climates, allowing better control over the exposure and moisture of the growing medium. Choose a wide, shallow container with drainage holes, line the bottom with a drainage layer (gravel, clay pebbles), then fill it with a very light mix: 1/3 potting compost, 1/3 coarse sand, 1/3 pozzolana or perlite. Place the plant in direct sun or bright light, avoiding excess water: watering every two to three weeks in summer is sufficient, and should be greatly reduced in winter.
As soon as the first cold nights arrive (below 5 °C), bring the pot indoors to a bright, cool (between 5 and 12 °C), dry and well-ventilated location. During this overwintering period, stop watering almost completely to prevent any root rot. Once all risk of frost has passed, the plant can be taken back outside to the garden, a balcony or a sunny terrace.