Senecio cylindricus (A.Berger) H.Jacobsen 

🌱 Morphology
  Perennial succulent with a shrubby habit and initially spreading growth, whose stems rise and branch with age. It can reach a height of about 45–60 cm and spread up to 90–150 cm wide in favorable conditions. Its leaves are cylindrical, long, narrow, and fleshy, bluish-gray-green in color, with a thin layer of whitish pruinose coating that gives them a powdery appearance. They are densely clustered at the ends of the stems and can exceed 10 cm in length. This waxy coating helps reflect solar radiation and reduces water loss.

🌍 Origin, habitat, and family
Family Asteraceae, subfamily Asteroideae, tribe Senecioneae.

It is native to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, especially the coastal strip between Alexandria and East London. It inhabits dry environments, on sandy and stony ground, adapted to periods of drought, although it can also make use of seasonal moisture when drainage is good. It is marketed as Senecio cylindricus, but has also been classified as Senecio talinoides subsp. cylindricus. In horticultural nomenclature, it also appears under the name Senecio vitalis.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 9b
Tolerates brief drops close to 0 °C if the substrate remains dry, but not severe frosts or persistent cold moisture. It is recommended to protect it during the winter in frost-prone areas.

☀️ Lighting
Needs abundant light and tolerates direct sun, which favors its compact habit and bluish coloration. A target DLI PAR of 15–25 mol/m²/day is recommended, with gradual acclimatization if it has grown in shade.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. Although it usually grows more vigorously during warm periods, it can make use of available water as long as temperatures and drainage are suitable. It is recommended to water thoroughly and let the substrate dry out completely before watering again. Reduce watering in cold weather and avoid waterlogging.

🌸 Flowering
Produces branched inflorescences above the foliage, with small capitula of cream-white tubular flowers, without the external ligules usually associated with daisies. Flowering usually appears in late spring and early summer.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, with a high supply of potassium and bioavailable calcium. Reduce or suspend fertilization when growth slows down.

13x13 cm pot

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.