Angel wings
Senecio candicans · Asteraceae
⚠️ Les parties aériennes contiennent des alcaloïdes pyrrolizidiniques ; une ingestion répétée ou importante peut provoquer des troubles digestifs et une atteinte du foie chez chiens et chats.
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant angel wings: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, silvery-gray and downy
- Flowering
- June to August, yellow flowers in corymbs
- Adult size
- Approximately 120 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Moderate, temperate to mild climate
- Origin
- South America (Argentina, Uruguay)
- Soil type
- Well-drained soil, tolerates poor terrain
- Family
- Asteraceae
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
White senecio likes it dry: water sparingly and keep soil poor to prevent soft growth.
The common mistake
Over-enriching or overwatering it: it becomes soft, loses leaves, and breaks in the wind.
The pro's trick
Prune lightly in February so it regrows dense and compact.
Care
Watering
This is a low-water plant. Water moderately during the growing season, then gradually reduce in autumn. In winter, keep the soil slightly moist without excess. Let the substrate dry partially between waterings to prevent root rot.
Light exposure
Place your white senecio in full sun for optimal growth and abundant flowering. At least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight are necessary. Sunny exposure also strengthens the silvery-gray tint of the foliage.
Soil and drainage
Choose well-drained, light soil that is rather poor in organic matter. Balanced potting soil enriched with sand or perlite works perfectly. This plant tolerates rocky soils and dreads chronic waterlogging.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch stems regularly early in the season to encourage a compact and bushy shape. After flowering, prune lightly to tidy the plant. Remove dead or weak stems in spring to restore vigor.
Fertilizer
Apply moderate balanced fertilizer in spring and early summer, every 4 to 6 weeks. Reduce significantly or stop in autumn and winter. Excessive feeding promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
Generally a robust plant. Watch for root rot linked to excessive moisture. Occasionally, spider mites may appear in very dry conditions. Ensure good air circulation and control humidity to prevent problems.
Did you know?
The Senecio genus contains over 1,200 species distributed worldwide, making it one of the largest genera of flowering plants. White senecio, prized for its particularly decorative white-gray foliage, is widely used in South American floristry to create contrasting and airy arrangements.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.