About
Caputia tomentosa is a succulent sub-shrub characterized by its fleshy, cylindrical leaves covered in fine white hairs, which grow in a spiral pattern along the stems. In summer, it produces disk-shaped flower heads that measure approximately 2 cm in diameter and are orange in color.
About the genus
This genus consists of a few species of flowering succulents that originate from South Africa. The plants feature clusters of fleshy, cylindrical leaves that range in color from silvery-white to green. They are well-adapted to dry conditions and can produce bright yellow, daisy-like flowers on elongated stems that rise above the leaves.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants
- Native to
- South Africa (Cape)
- Toxicity
- All parts of the plants are toxic. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a sharply drained soil in full sun. Under glass use a peat-free, loam-based soil with the addition of extra grit. Water moderately during the growing period and reduce water in the winter months, keeping the soil barely moist.
- Pruning
- No pruning generally required
- Propagation
- Senecio haworthii rarely produces seed and the most reliable form of propagation is by semi-ripe cuttings taken in late summeer
- Pest resistance
- Aphids and glasshouse red spider mite can be a problem under glass
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free