About
Curio rowleyanus is a soft, evergreen succulent characterized by its elongated, cascading stems adorned with round, fleshy leaves of a mid-green hue. In the summer, it bears fragrant flowers resembling paintbrushes, which are white to cream in color.
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, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Houseplants
- Habit
- Trailing
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 1-2 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants
- Native to
- S.W.Africa- Namibia
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- Sap may irritate skin and all parts may cause stomach upset if ingested. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in free-draining potting compost in a bright position with several hours of direct sun. In summer keep room temperature between 21-27°C (70-80°F). In winter keep between 13-16°C (55-60°F) and water sparingly. See Curio and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Trim back weak or straggly stems to the base of the plant to encourage new growth.
- Propagation
- Propagate by softwood cutttings, internodal cuttings and division in spring and summer.
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to whitefly, aphids and glasshouse red spider mite.
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free