Senecio crassissimus aka Vertical Leaf

Taxonomy

Senecio crassissimus, also known as the propeller plant, vertical leaf, or lavender steps, is an evergreen leaf-succulent subshrub that belongs to the daisy family Asteraceae and is endemic to Madagascar. This plant can grow up to 80 cm tall and 40 cm wide, with thick erect stems that produce bright yellow daisy-like flowers at the tips from mid-summer to autumn. The most distinctive feature of this species is its vertical ranks of silver-grey laterally positioned purple-rimmed flattened fleshy leaves that resemble propellers of a plane. The leaves are also blue-green in color and have a thick, succulent texture. This plant has adapted to its harsh environment by changing the direction of its succulent leaf surfaces so that there is no flat surface directly facing the sun. When the sun is in its most intense position, directly overhead, the plant has just a leaf edge facing the sun to prevent moisture from evaporating. Vertical Leaf Senecio thrives in rocky, sun-sweltering environments and needs very little water to thrive. It does best in abundant sunlight and should be placed less than 3 feet from a window.

Common names

Vertical Leaf

How to care for Vertical Leaf

Difficulty

Caring for Vertical Leaf is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Vertical Leaf does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

When growing the Vertical Leaf, it's important to use a potting soil that is well-draining and does not retain excessive moisture. An optimal soil mix should contain a high proportion of perlite or vermiculite for good drainage and some organic matter for nourishment. Simply add a few scoops of perlite to regular cactus soil to achieve this.

Lighting

Vertical Leaf requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Vertical Leaf is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Vertical Leaf to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

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

Humidity

Vertical Leaf plants thrive in dry environments, however, if you choose to provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on the leaves can create an ideal environment for certain types of harmful fungi.

Fertilizer

The Vertical Leaf grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Vertical Leaf as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Vertical Leaf’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia