A native of Southern Africa, you are likely to grow the plant for its foliage and flowers. Also, it is drought resistant so it is easy to grow even in water-scarce areas.
Family: | Asteraceae/ Daisy |
Genus: | Senecio |
Scientific Name: | Senecio barbertonicus |
Other Names: | Lemon Bean Bush, Senecio Himalaya, Succulent Bush Senacio, Barbeton Groundsel |
Growth Season: | Spring and summer |
Preferred Temperature: | It does best in temperatures between 20 and 27oC (68-80oF) in the day time and 10-21oC (50-70oF) at night. Also, it is moderately frost-hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -4oC (25oF) but not lower. |
Hardiness Zone: | USDA Zone 9b-11b |
Average Mature Height & Width: | It can reach a height of 5-6 feet (2 meters) and a similar spread. |
Dormancy: | It dorms in winter when the cold causes growth hormones to stop working. |
Toxicity: | Every part of this plant is toxic to humans and pets when ingested. |
Senecio Barbertomicus Physical Characteristics
Copious branching is one of the characteristics of this plant. It branches at the base of the stem and continues branching higher up. This continued branching is what gives your Senecio Barbertomicus such a widespread. The stem and branches are cylindrical. They can be light green or greyish green in color. It has unique foliage since its leaves are cylindrical and finger-like, pointing upward. These leaves average 5-10 cm long and 0.5-1 cm wide. It blooms in winter producing golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers, which are a testament to the fact that it belongs to the daisy family.
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Senacio Barbertomicus Care
The plant is drought tolerant, which means it requires to be watered sparingly. Too much water in the soil means waterlogging, which can, in turn, cause root rot. You should water it only during its growing seasons and ensure water from a previous drink is exhausted before watering next.
The substrate on which you grow this plant significantly determines whether your watering endeavor will succeed. It should be previous due to its high gravel content. The pot where you grow this succulent should have drainage holes to release excess water. It is advisable to feed this plant regularly during its growing season, at least once monthly, with water-soluble fertilizers containing medium hydrogen levels.
DO YOU KNOW? Caring (propagating, pruning/trimming, beheading, watering, …) is a set of skills that is widely applicable to succulents. Read the in-depth guide here >>
Richard Miller – Succulent City
Senecio Barbertomicus Growth
This plant is ideal for growth in succulent, Mediterranean, and container plants. You propagate it using seeds, cuttings or division. The division produces established plants faster than the other methods. It would be best if you pruned some branches to allow air circulation. Easier air circulation makes the plant healthier by keeping pests and diseases at bay.
You can use the branches you get from thinning for propagation, so it is advisable to prune it at the beginning of the growing season. Such timing allows the mother to heal and the daughter to get established. Follow the usual steps for propagating succulents using cuttings during the process.
Repotting is necessary every time it doubles in size. It is vulnerable to mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites. They aren’t a significant threat, but you must watch out to avoid infestation.
Before you leave …
You can see all plants from the Senecio genus on Succulent on this page. Or the previous/next plant:
ABOUT ME
Richard | Editor-in-chief at Succulent City
Hey everyone! I’m Richard. Welcome to my blog, which is all about succulents, cacti, and a bit about air plants. Ten years back, in 2013, I began my journey with succulents. It started as a simple hobby, crafting and selling charming succulent-themed pins and decorations. But as time passed, my fascination with these remarkable plants grew, and I gained extensive knowledge about them. Therefore, Succulent City is the blog as you see it is now. Enjoy your visit and happly planting!