Grow Angel Wings Senecio As a Centerpiece Container Plant
Angel Wings senecio thrives in drought and heat, making it a fantastic plant for summer pots. This succulent has fuzzy leaves that help it survive dry spells and strong sun. Their brilliant silver color grabs attention and combines easily with any other color of plant or pot.
Angel Wings senecio has felted silver foliage that helps it withstand drought, heat and sun.
Common name: Angel Wings senecio, Angel Wings sea cabbage
Botanical name: Senecio candicans 'Senaw'
Related: Learn to make the most of plants in shades of white and silver in "Taking Up the Tradition of a Pale Garden"
Exposure: Full sun
Flowers: Angel Wings is grown for its leaves.
Foliage: Angel Wings senecio has bright silver leaves covered in felt that makes them soft to the touch. The leaves are large and broad, with a slightly crimped edge.
Related: Learn why silver-leaved plants are good choices for drought-prone gardens, plus get design tips.
Size and habit: Angel Wings senecio grows as a leafy mound to about 18 inches tall and wide.
Hardy to USDA Zone 8, Angel Wings senecio can persist through the cool autumn nights, making it a great candidate for unique fall containers. Here it is combined with (clockwise from top) 'Queen of Hearts' brunnera, 'Wildberry' heuchera, Latte supertunia and Silver Bullet artemisia.
Origin: The species Senecio candicans is native to the Pacific Coast of South America. The selection Angel Wings, or 'Senaw', has particularly large leaves.
Related: "This Purple Succulent Suits Dry Gardens and Pots"
How to grow it: Angel Wings senecio requires full sun and lean, quick-draining soil. This is a drought-tolerant plant that can suffer from rot with too much moisture. Too rich a roil can result in weak and excessive growth. Angel Wings senecio takes well to growing in containers; just be sure the pot has at least one drainage hole and the growing medium is loose. Keep the leaves looking their best by directing water to the soil line and avoiding wetting the foliage. Old leaves can be trimmed off at the stem. Hardy to USDA Zone 8, this senecio can be kept as a houseplant over the winter in colder climates; ideally, place its pot in a cool, bright room and water it only to keep the potting mix from completely drying out.
Related: "Drought-Tolerant Annuals for Garden Containers"
Images courtesy of Proven Winners
