About
Curio articulatus is a clump-forming succulent perennial that can reach heights of up to 40 cm. Its stems are cylindrical and exhibit a blue-grey to blue-purple hue, adorned with a waxy surface. In winter, the plant produces small clusters of green leaves that develop in segments and may exhibit a purple tint, influenced by light conditions. Although flowering is uncommon, when it occurs, blooms emerge in the autumn to winter months following a dormancy period. These flowers are white, lack rays, and are not particularly noticeable, often accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
About the genus
Curio is a group of evergreen succulents that originate from the mountainous regions of Cape Province in South Africa. These plants feature elongated, ribbed leaves and produce disc-like flower heads that lack ray florets.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- South Africa
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in a mix of 2 parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost and 1 part each of leaf mould and grit, in full light with good ventilation. When in growth water moderately and apply a half-strength balanced liquid feed monthly. See cactus and succulent cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division or by removing and rooting stem sections
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to stem rots if overwatered