Curio ficoides 'Mount Everest'PBR

RHS Plant Profile
big blue chalk sticks 'Mount Everest'

Synonyms

Senecio ficoides 'Mount Everest'

Cactus Succulent

A perennial succulent, to around 80cm high, with upright stems branching at the base, and narrow, fleshy green leaves with a waxy silvery bloom

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a mix of 2 parts peat-free, 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