Senecio Angel Wings, also referred to as the Candicans Senecio, is a tender perennial with stunning silvery-white foliage like the popular dusty miller (Senecio cineraria).
This plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and originated from South America. This head-turner makes an outstanding focal point in containers and landscapes and has fantastic impulse appeal.
Senecio Angel Wings Quick Care Guide
- Botanical Name: Senecio Candicans Angel Wings – [Sen-ek-ee-o]
- Common Name(s): Angel Wing Senecio
- Family & Origin: Asteraceae | South America
- Growability: Easy to maintain
- Grow Zone: USDA Hardiness zones 8a – 11b
- Size: 16″ tall and slightly wider
- Flowering: Yellow flowers in summer
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 70°-80° degrees Fahrenheit day | 55°-65° night
- Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
- Fertilizer: Water-soluble fertilizer monthly during the growing season
- Pests & Diseases: Few diseases. Watch out for slugs and snails
- Propagation: Cuttings, seeds, or division
- Grooming: Prune back in early spring
- Uses: Focal point in patio pots, borders, and beds
This unique Senecio angel wings plant type was introduced by Emerald Coast Growers.
It is rounded, evergreen, and exquisite, making it ideal for sensory gardens and other décors.
Senecio Angel Wing is easy to maintain, is tolerant of coastal conditions, and is drought resistant.
The common names for ‘Senecio Angel Wings’ include:
- Senaw
- Marine cineraria ‘Angel Wings’
- Sea Cabbage ‘Angel Wings’
- Senecio Candicans ‘Senaw’
Senecio Angel Wing Plant Care
Size and Growth
Candicans Senecio is fast-growing with velvety leaves and white, grayish foliage.
Aside from its silver leaves, this plant gets its distinctive look from its tightly mounded foliage.
This plant grows around 16” inches long and slightly wider with numerous broad, heart-shaped leaves.
Each leaf grows about 7″ inches tall and 5″ inches wide.
The leaves also have tiny blunt dentations along the margins.
The plant’s velvety texture is due to the short, dense hair covering the surface of the leaves.
Flowering and Fragrance
The Angel Wings Senecio plant is mostly grown as a foliage plant but produces an inflorescence of yellow flowers during the summer season.
Angel Wing Plants Light & Temperature Requirements
The Senaw loves to be in the full sunlight but also likes being placed in a brightly lit and full shade.
Ensure this plant is placed under a sunny (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours), cool spot in a well-draining mixture.
The ideal temperatures for this plant are between 70° – 80° degrees Fahrenheit (21° – 27° C) during the daytime and 55° – 65° degrees Fahrenheit (13° – 18° C) during the night.
The USDA hardiness zones of this plant are 8a – 11b.
Watering and Feeding
- Young new plants need regular watering during the first few months.
- Once it has been fully established, it is drought tolerant, requiring regular watering during the dry season.
- Allow the plant to dry between watering and avoid overwatering it.
- Feed this plant every month throughout its growing season.
- Utilize a water-soluble fertilizer at medium levels of nitrogen, ideally between 150 to 200 ppm.
Soil and Transplanting
This plant is not too particular about the pH level of soil and grows well in a mixture with a neutral range.
This is a plant that doesn’t like wet soils, although it will thrive with consistently moist soil. It is best suited to be planted in containers where good drainage is ensured.
It prefers sandy, well-drained soil but also likes chalk and loam mixture. To replenish this plant’s nutrients, repot your Angel Wings Senecio into a larger pot after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Grooming and Maintenance
The taller varieties of Senecio typically start getting floppy.
During early spring, prune the plant back till a firm stem is reached.
The new plants need more watering, but it looks after itself when the plant becomes stable.
Remove faded older leaves as they appear. Otherwise, the dead leaves could be a potential source of rot.
When growing in winter rainfall areas, plant it in containers and provide protection throughout the cold season.
Senaw is a hardy plant but dislikes wet, cold soils.
Offer it protection with mulch or cloche if the soil is wet during winter.
How to Propagate Candicans Senecio?
The propagation of this plant is done using cuttings, seeds, or division.
When growing this plant through seeds, provide a warmer temperature and keep the seeds moisturized consistently during the germination process.
Cuttings and divisions are a faster way of propagation.
Take the cuttings and divide the plant when it is in the growing stage, usually during early spring and fall.
Root the plant in well-draining, moderately fertile soil.
It will need protection from frost when growing in the mildest areas.
Candicans Senecio Pest or Diseases
Few diseases and pests bother this plant. However, be on the lookout for slugs and snails. More on how to get rid of slugs.
Keep monitoring and scouting the plant regularly to prevent any potential threats.
Maintaining the humidity levels and air circulation and following a preventive program are vital for thriving Senecio plants.
This plant is also deer resistant.
Uses For Senecio Angel Wings
This plant looks beautiful when used in mixed succulent containers with other house plants, with visual interest in patio pots, borders, houseplants, and beds.
Its unique texture and color mix well with other annuals and perennials in the garden.
It also works well in a solitary container planting on a balcony, patio, office desk, or office décor.
It works great both as an outdoor plant in bright sun and as a house plant.