Also known as Ragwort · 20 saves
Senecio
Senecio, the genus most gardeners know as ragwort. We track 7 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 6 most-saved Senecio varieties
Browse all 7 Senecio varieties →
4 species of Senecio
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Senecio in Sow
Save the Senecio you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Senecio
Whats common across all Senecio varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them.
The Senecio year
- PlantMarch–May71% of varieties
Plant in well-draining soil; avoid planting during summer heat
- PruneMarch and August57% of varieties
Trim leggy stems to maintain shape and encourage bushiness
- FertilizeApril and June43% of varieties
Light application of balanced fertilizer, especially in containers
- PropagateApril–June43% of varieties
Propagate easily from stem cuttings; allow cuts to callous first
- Winter PrepSeptember and October43% of varieties
Move indoors before temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C)
Do
- Water during prolonged dry spells 🌱
- Prune to shape after flowering
- Use well-draining soil
- Provide bright, indirect sunlight ☀️
- Water sparingly, letting soil dry out between watering 🌱
Avoid
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Shade the plant from harsh afternoon sun
- Forget to mulch in dry seasons
What goes wrong with Senecio
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mealybugs | White cottony spots on stems and leaves | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Leaf miner | Pale winding tunnels inside the leaves | Pick off and destroy affected leaves as they appear |
| Generally pest-free | No significant insect damage is typical | Monitor only; no routine treatment needed |
| Root rot | Yellowing leaves, wilting | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Reduce watering and improve drainage. |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Senecio
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in early summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in well-draining soil
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks
Senecio questions
How many types of Senecio are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Senecio varieties. The most popular — ranked by 20 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Senecio grow in?
Across its varieties, Senecio covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Senecio bloom?
Most Senecio varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer, spring, summer, fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Senecio should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.