Kilimanjaro Plant

Kilimanjaro Plant Care

Senecio 'kilimanjaro'

What is the plant

This perennial succulent produces thick silvery-gray curved leaves that form a tight clustered rosette of foliage. This plant is particularly well adapted to growing in containers as a houseplant where plants receive natural sunlight in the morning. Provide a well drained soil that has a generous amount of sand content. Rot is a problem in heavy wet soils. Under ideal conditions plants can grow quite large but these larger sizes are not normally seen growing in containers. This is a good dry landscape plant in areas where freezes do not occur.

humidity

Dry

lighting

Full Sun

temperature

22°C - 35°C

hardiness zone

9 - 12

difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
As succulents, these plants have excellent tolerance for drought. For most types, allow the roots to dry out completely between waterings. Soaking in water will cause the roots and plants to turn mushy.
Fertilizer
Since Senecio plants grow in sandy soil, the nutrients will need to be replenished. Fertilize annually, but lightly. Too much fertilizer can cause an abundance of leggy growth.
Sunlight
Senecio plants prefer full sun when grown in cooler climates as container plants, but in very hot desert climates, the plants prefer bright indirect light. When brought indoors for the winter, give the plants the brightest, sunniest location you can find.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Senecio succulent plants aren't particular about soil pH. Something in the neutral range (6.0–7.0) should be fine. More importantly, make sure the soil is well-drained and on the sandy side.
Temperature
Most Senecios thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 12. As with the majority of succulents, they're heat tolerant. A few Senecio species can withstand brief periods of cold or dampness, but prolonged exposure to cold will turn them to mush.
Additional
All Senecio plants are toxic. Ingestion can cause fatal liver disease in animals when eaten in large quantities over a long period of time. Wear gloves when working with the plants; the sap can cause severe irritation. Be careful when planting Senecio species if you have children, pets, or livestock.