Senecio angel wings (Senecio candicans) is a plant with big, silvery-white leaves that resemble angel wings. Its ethereal appearance is enough to make one pause and appreciate its calm beauty. This succulent broadleaf evergreen has velvety leaves that grow close together and like a sea of creamy ocean waves. According to Plant Care Today, it thrives in climates with daytime highs of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime lows of 55 degrees Fahrenheit in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8a to 11b.
Tip
Too much harsh sun causes the senecio angel wing’s leaves to get sunburnt and turn brown. Cut the harmed leaves off at the stem’s base. Additionally, make sure there is adequate airflow among the plant’s leaves.
Why is my plant with angel wings wilting?
This is a succulent, your Senecio. This implies the soil should be allowed to dry up halfway inside the pot before watering it, and it should be kept in a tiny (nursery) pot. It should also be put on the windowsill closest to the sun.
You may have thought the pot was little, but it shouldn’t have been repotted. It takes longer for the soil to dry out properly because of the larger pot and more soil. The roots have likely rotted as a result of this and your regular watering, even though there is plenty of water available.
Before you water again, let the soil become quite dry. I’m sorry to tell that it is unlikely to recover if it doesn’t wake up when the soil dries.
Size & Growth
Fast-growing Candicans Senecio has velvety leaves and white, grayish foliage.
This plant’s striking appearance, in addition to its silver leaves, comes from its densely mounded foliage.
This plant has multiple broad, heart-shaped leaves and reaches a length and width of around 16 inches.
The short, thick hair that covers the surface of the leaves gives the plant its velvety texture.
Light & Temperature
The Senaw prefers brightly lit shade but also enjoys being in direct sunlight.
Make sure to place this plant in a well-draining mixture in a sunny, cool area.
This plant thrives best at temperatures between 7080 degrees Fahrenheit (2127 degrees Celsius) during the day and 5565 degrees Fahrenheit (1318 degrees Celsius) at night.
Watering and Feeding
- During the first few months, newly planted young plants require constant watering.
- Once completely grown, it is drought resistant but still needs frequent watering in the dry season.
- Avoid overwatering the plant and give it time to dry between waterings.
- For the duration of the plant’s growing season, feed it once a month.
- Use a water-soluble fertilizer with a nitrogen content of about 150 to 200 ppm.
Grooming and Maintenance
New plants require more watering, but once they are established, they can take care of themselves.
Make sure to plant it in containers and give cover throughout the cold season if you’re growing in a region with winter rainfall.
If the soil has a tendency to remain wet throughout the winter, provide it shelter with mulch or a cloche.
Underwatering Causes Begonia Leaves Curling
Your Begonia’s leaves will curl if you drown it. Curled leaves are one indication that a plant is drying up, as you might expect from a parched plant.
The inability of water to transport nutrients from the soil up to the plant is another drawback of underwatering.
This indicates that your plant needs additional moisture in addition to nutrients, which will result in more curling leaves.
How to Fix
Verify your begonia plant’s soil. The soil should be damp throughout with a dry top layer.
They might not be getting enough water even though the soil appears to be sufficiently moist.
Regularly mist your Begonia in addition to watering it as usual to correct this. A humidifier can also work wonders!
Overwatering Leads to Root Rot
Watering your Begonia every day may seem like a good idea, but you can be doing more harm than good by engaging in this kind of activity.
Begonias’ roots begin to decay when they receive excessive watering. As a result, the plant’s leaves may begin to curl because its roots are unable to feed it with water and nutrients.
Additionally, excessive watering may result in the soil losing important nutrients as a result of the water.
The much water depletes the soil of its beneficial elements rather than allowing the plant to absorb nutrients from it! Therefore, nutritional deficiency results in curled leaves.
Fortunately, overwatering is simple to remedy. To prevent overwatering your plant, follow these easy steps:
- Whenever the top layer of soil has dried off, only water your begonia (up to your knuckle if you test with your finger).
- Ensure that the pot in which your Begonia is planted has excellent drainage. Insufficient drainage will prevent water from escaping and result in root rot.
- Put your Begonia in a potting mixture that is described as being light and free-draining. As clay soil retains too much moisture, avoid it.
Could you trim Senecio’s angel wings?
Senecios in established habitats can withstand severe droughts. During the summer, they require some water, although they do not keep the soil wet for very long. When plants are somewhat dormant in the winter, let the soil dry up between waterings. They will need new fertilizers because they are growing in sandy soil. Annual fertilization should be minimal. An excessive amount of fertilizer will result in lanky growth.
Taller varieties have a tendency to droop. In very early spring, you can cut them back until the stem is firm. Cuttings can even be rooted.
In the early spring, plants can be divided or replanted. They prefer spending the summer outside if you are growing them in pots. In the fall, don’t bring them back within until there is no risk of frost.
Cuttings or seeds can be used to grow senecio. To germinate, seeds need warm temperatures and consistent moisture. Cuttings move more quickly and easily. From early spring to late October, harvest during the growing season. Root in containers with sand soil.
How can Angel Wings be revived?
The bigger a leaf gets, the more floppy it becomes. Seven-inch wingspan and a five-inch width are typical for angels. One stalk cannot possibly support that much weight. In order to keep a vivacious appearance, pruning in the spring is necessary. Up till a firm stem is attained, prune back. Ensure that there is adequate airflow between the leaves, and if the climate turns dry, put a humidifier close to the plant.
It is not advised to mist the plant directly. To add moisture to the air, spray around or underneath the plant. Additionally, look for and get rid of slugs and snails when caring for the angel wing. When you notice brown leaves, remove them as if you were trimming. After adjusting the water levels, turn the pot around so that a different side is exposed to the sun.
How can Angel Wings be preserved?
Senecio candidans Angel Wings ‘Senaw’ should be watered during dry times until the plants are established, at which point they will be drought tolerance. Water the compost in pots on a regular basis to keep it equally moist, but be careful not to overwater and make sure any extra water can drain away quickly.
Once established, this plant grows easily and needs minimal maintenance. As soon as they appear, fading elder leaves should be removed since rotting could result from the dead leaves. Protect yourself from excessive rain, especially during the winter and in locations where it gets below five degrees Celsius. Grow in a pot and then move it to a porch, conservatory, greenhouse, or polytunnel for the winter.
How to propagate Senecio Angel Wings
In the late summer, cut young shoots. Divide established plants early in the spring or early in the fall, making sure to separate parts so that each has plenty of roots and top growth.
Growing Senecio Angel Wings: problem solving
Sen. Candidatus Insofar as the proper growing conditions are supplied, Angel Wings ‘Senaw’ is trouble-free to cultivate. Avoid planting in nutrient-rich soil as this will result in an abundance of weak, floppy leaves. Be cautious to give protection from heavy rain, especially in the winter, as it weakens, rots, and kills plants when there is too much rain and soil moisture.
Are Senecio Hardy’s angel wings?
A new introduction that will truly stand out! This extremely tactile perennial is ideal for sensory gardening because of its evergreen, rounded, silver leaves with a smooth, velvety feel. It grows as a foliar plant and creates a striking mound in rockeries and hot, sunny borders. Senecio “Angel Wings” requires little maintenance, resists drought, and thrives in coastal environments. Surprisingly hardy on light, well-drained soils, this striking cultivar. Grow it in a container and relocate it to a protected location for the winter in regions with heavy winter rains. 40 cm in height and spread (16″).
Plant spread and height vary with the seasons, so we list by container size rather than a specific plant size. Seasonal variations will affect the plant’s height and spread, so arrival photographs should only be used as a guide.
How are angel wings trimmed?
The genus Begonia encompasses more than just well-behaved wax-leaf bedding plants. Begonias with angel wings (B. coccinea and B. cultivars) have striking foliage that is big, luxuriant, and frequently variegated. Bright pink or red flowers grow on bamboo-like canes that, under the appropriate circumstances, can reach heights of more than 10 feet. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 to 11a, angel wing begonias are evergreen perennials that overwinter in pots. As opposed to the fussier Rex or tuberous kinds, these cane-form begonias are thought to be simpler to grow, and with the right pruning, the rampant growth can be both reined in and rejuvenated.
In late winter or early spring, prune old stems with no leaves at the base, leaving two to five leaf nodes—the swelling rings on the cane where leaves grow. To prevent water from collecting in the wounds, cut the stems at different heights to give the canes a more natural form.
During the growing season, pinch off the tips of excessively robust canes to reduce size and promote the growth of new shoots from the base of angel wing begonias. This does not induce branching as it does in other plants. No trimming or pinching should be done on fresh shoots during their first season.
Can angel wings be multiplied?
Cuttings make it simple to grow angel wing begonias and other cane-type begonias. A 2- to 3-inch leaf-tip cutting without blossoms should be carefully removed as new growth starts to appear in the spring and placed cutting-side down in potting soil.