Curio talinoides aka Blue Fingers

Taxonomy

Curio talinoides, also known as Senecio mandraliscae, is a succulent plant native to South Africa. Its origin is uncertain and it may be a hybrid. This conspicuous, evergreen shrub has bluish grey-green, elongated, rounded, succulent leaves that are densely arranged and crowded on the stems. It grows mainly on cliffs and deep rocky gorges in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, rooting where the branches touch the ground. The branches are brittle, rounded, succulent, woody below, and emit a resinous scent. The main branch is glaucous and blue-green, about 20 mm in diameter. The leaves and stems are pruinose, covered with a powdery white bloom, resulting in their attractive bluish to bluish grey-green color. The leaves are sickle-shaped, tapering at both ends, about 45-95 mm long, rounded to slightly flattened laterally, 4-6 mm thick, and obscurely striated lengthwise, ending in a stiff sharp point. Narrow-Leaf Chalk Sticks is a popular houseplant that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Common names

Blue Fingers, Blue Chalksticks, Sweet Khola

How to care for Blue Fingers

Difficulty

Blue Fingers presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Blue Fingers should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

To ensure the health of your Blue Fingers, it's crucial to use a potting soil that won't hold too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to store-bought cactus soil is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

Blue Fingers thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Sweet Khola.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Blue Fingers to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Blue Fingers is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

Blue Fingers prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Blue Fingers is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

Blue Fingers grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Blue Fingers’s native range is Southwestern Africa.

Flower

Yes, if you provide it with the correct amount of sunlight and water, you can witness your Blue Fingers blooming.


More info:
Wikipedia