Also known as Ragwort · 12 gardener saves
Senecio: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Senecio, the genus most gardeners know as ragwort. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Senecio varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedAngel Wings
Senecio angelonia 'Angel Wings'
#2 most savedGiovanna's Select Groundsel
Senecio stellatus 'Giovanna's Select'
#3 most savedBlue Chalksticks
Senecio mandraliscae
String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus
False Nasturtium
Senecio tropaeolifolius
How to grow Senecio
What the Senecio varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Senecio year
- PlantMarch–May80% of varieties
Plant in well-draining soil; avoid planting during summer heat
- PruneMarch and August80% of varieties
Trim leggy stems to maintain shape and encourage bushiness
- FertilizeApril and June60% of varieties
Light application of balanced fertilizer, especially in containers
- PropagateApril–June60% of varieties
Propagate easily from stem cuttings; allow cuts to callous first
- Winter PrepSeptember and October60% of varieties
Move indoors before temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C)
- DeadheadJuly and August40% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to maintain appearance and encourage new blooms
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. |
| 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
Cuttings
- Take 4-inch cuttings in early summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in well-draining soil
- Keep soil moist for 6 weeks
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 2 weeks
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks
Senecio questions
How many types of Senecio are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Senecio varieties. The most popular — ranked by 12 real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
Senecio shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Senecio in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
