About
Produces yellow flowers, mostly hidden by green bracts and resembling a half-opened dandelion. A fast-growing upright annual to 60cm high, with long, deeply lobed leaves growing directly from hollow stems. Flowers go on to produce fluffy white seed heads, seeds are prolific and wind-dispersed.
About the genus
Senecio can be annuals, biennials, perennials, climbers or shrubs, some succulent, with simple or pinnately divided leaves and daisy-like flowers, occasionally without ray-florets
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAnnual Biennial
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1 year
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationMost vigorous in moist, fertile soils, but will successfully adapt to a range of growing conditions, though does not grow as well in shade. Spreads rapidly over long distances, generally considered a weed.
PruningRemove before flowering to prevent spreading
PropagationPropagates by seed, produced prolifically through the year. In optimum conditions, life cycle can be very short, from seed to seed in under six weeks
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a rust and honey fungus