Overview

Curio repens is a columnar upright cactus succulent in the genus Curio, part of the Asteraceae family, with evergreen foliage. Curio repens grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1C. Suggested uses include houseplants.

About

Curio repens, commonly known as blue chalksticks, is an evergreen succulent belonging to the genus Curio within the Asteraceae family. This cactus succulent features a columnar upright habit with elongated, ribbed leaves typical of the genus. It thrives in full sun and prefers sheltered positions with well-drained loam or sandy soils of varying pH. Suited to houseplant cultivation, it requires gritty soil and can be propagated by division or rooting stem sections. Its season of interest is summer, and it is hardy to UK zone H1C.

About the genus

Curio is a genus of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. Plants in the genus are evergreen succulents with long, striated leaves and discoid flower heads lacking ray florets.

Wikipedia contributors, "Curio (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Curio (plant)

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Curio

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

Curio repens size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Cactus Succulent

Habit

Columnar upright

Foliage

Evergreen

Suggested uses

Houseplants

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Curio repens

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

Frequently asked questions