Curio talinoides
Curio talinoides · Asteraceae
📷 Tangopaso · Public domain
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around curio talinoides and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Persistent, succulent and bluish
- Flowering
- June to July, yellow flowers
- Mature size
- Approximately 30 cm in height
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Not very hardy, protect in cold climates
- Origin
- South Africa
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light, mineral
- Family
- Asteraceae (formerly Crassulaceae)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Curio talinoides is a succulent: use a well-draining pot, water occasionally during growth and very rarely in winter.
The common mistake
Watering it regularly like a normal plant; it will wither from being suffocated by excess water.
The pro's trick
In February, remove dead leaves and let them dry before regrowth to minimize rot.
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. In autumn and winter, drastically reduce watering: this succulent is very water-efficient. Avoid water accumulation at the base, which can cause root rot.
Light Exposure
Place the plant in full sun to achieve a beautiful bluish tint on the leaves and promote compact growth. It tolerates very bright and sunny positions. Insufficient light will cause undesirable stretching.
Substrate and Drainage
Use a very well-draining mixture composed of light potting soil, sand, and perlite or gravel. Poor, mineral-rich soil is perfectly suited to this succulent. Ensure your pot has drainage holes.
Fertilizing
Apply a very diluted fertilizer, specific to succulents, once or twice during the growing season (spring-summer). Avoid excessive applications, which could promote weak, overly rapid growth.
Pruning and Cleaning
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, bushy shape. Remove dead or damaged leaves throughout the seasons. Interventions are typically minimal on this small plant.
Pests and Diseases
The plant is resistant if watering conditions are respected. Watch for mealybugs and spider mites indoors. Root rot, the main concern, is prevented by ensuring impeccable drainage and measured watering.
Did you know?
Curio talinoides, formerly classified in the Crassulaceae family, was recently reclassified among the Asteraceae thanks to modern genetic studies. Its nickname of 'blue chalk plant' comes from the very distinctive blue-grey pruinose tint of its fleshy leaves, which beautifully capture light and give the plant an almost mineral appearance.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.