Vertical Leaf Senecio has fleshy blue-green leaves with purple margins that are flat so they can change direction and never have a flat surface that faces the sun. This rotation helps prevent the loss of moisture in hot environments. This serves them well in the sweltering heat of Madagascar where they are endemic. These flat leaves almost resemble propellers on a prop plane, thus another common name Propeller Plant. Growing as a perennial in zones 9a through 11b, it is not cold hardy in cooler zones, so must be grown in a container and brought in for the winter. Exposure to excessive cold temperatures will lead to a mushy plant. They will be drought tolerant once established, however, good drainage is crucial. Overwatering or allowing the plant to sit in wet conditions will cause the plant to become mushy and lose it rigidity. Draining the soil before watering will alleviate this problem as well as allowing the roots to dehydrate before the next watering. They will be at their best when located in bright but indirect sunlight in a sandy soil. In their perennial zones, growing season is in the winter, while they will remain dormant in the summer months. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Overwatering is a major issue for this plant. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Senecio .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
The fleshy, blue-green leaves are in a vertical position, flat, have pointed tips, and often have a vibrant purple outline and a waxy coating. They are simple and have to petiole, arranged alternately on the stems. Color fades in the shade.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Yellow daisy-like flowers appear on stalks up to 2' tall in mid to late summer until autumn.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
Thick, erect and greenish-purple with leaf scars below