Curio ficoides
A species of succulent perennial shrub up to 100cm tall with blue to grey-green, elongated, flattened, fleshy leaves and stems. Some forms are scrambling whilst others are more upright. Curios flower rarely, but if they do the flowers are white and inconspicuous with no ray florets, appearing at the ends of the stems in autumn or winter after a period of dormancy
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Grey Silver Green | |||
| Autumn | Blue Grey Silver Green | White | Blue Grey Silver Green | |
| Winter | Blue Grey Silver Green | White | Blue Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Genus
Curio are flowering evergreen succulents native to South Africa's Cape Province mountains, with long, striated leaves and disc-shaped flower heads with no ray florets
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- South Africa (Cape)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a mix of 2 parts loam-based potting compost and 1 part each of leaf mould and grit, in full light with good ventilation. When in growth water moderately and apply a half-strength balanced liquid feed monthly. See cactus and succulent cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division or by removing and rooting stem sections
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to stem rots if overwatered
Get involved
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