Senecio Stapeliiformis ‘pickle plant’

Senecio stapeliiformis ‘Pickle Plant’ is a wonderfully unusual succulent with upright, pencil-like stems marked with purple-green stripes and tiny scale-like leaves. She gets her common name from those chunky, pickle-shaped stems and can produce striking red-orange flowers when she’s happy. Native to southern Africa, she’s a great choice if you like your houseplants a little bit weird and wonderful.

☀️ Light
Bright light is best for Senecio stapeliiformis. She can enjoy several hours of gentle direct sunlight each day, particularly morning or evening sun. If she's kept too far from a window, her stems may become stretched and less sturdy. Introduce her to stronger sunlight gradually to avoid scorching.

💧 Watering
As a succulent, she likes to dry out properly between waterings. Water thoroughly once the compost has completely dried, then allow the excess to drain away. Avoid frequent little sips of water, as constantly damp compost can quickly lead to root rot. During autumn and winter, water much less often and allow her to stay dry for longer.

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity
She prefers warm conditions during the growing season, ideally around 18-26°C. Average household humidity is perfectly fine, and she doesn't need additional humidity. Protect her from cold draughts and prolonged temperatures below around 10°C.

🪴 Potting
Use a very free-draining cactus or succulent compost, ideally with plenty of grit, pumice or perlite mixed through. Choose a pot with drainage holes and avoid using a pot that's much larger than her root system. Good drainage is especially important with this plant.

✂️ Pruning
There's usually very little pruning needed. Remove any damaged or dead stems with clean scissors. If she becomes too tall or you want to encourage branching, healthy stems can be cut back during the growing season.

🌿 Growing Tips
Give her plenty of light and resist the temptation to overwater. The chunky stems are designed to store water, so she can cope with periods of dryness. She can also be propagated from healthy stem cuttings, making it fairly easy to create more little pickle plants.

🐾 Pet Friendly
Senecio stapeliiformis is not considered pet friendly. Keep her away from cats and dogs who may nibble the stems.

Size: 8.5cm nursery pot