Pickle Plant, Candystick Plant
Care
Lighting
The Pickle Plant does best if placed in partial to full sun with a minimum of 3 hours direct sunlight per day. As soon as the temperatures exceed 10 °C (50 °F) it can be placed in the garden or on the balcony. There it has to be slowly accustomed to the sun, which is no longer filtered through a window.
Soil
Regular mixes for cacti and succulents or a well drained mixture of regular potting soil, bird sand and pumice (2:1:1). Kleinia stapeliiformis can also be grown in pure pumice.
Watering
Allow to dry or nearly dry between the waterings. During the growing season the Pickle Plant can be deep watered and sparingly during winter.
Feeding
Feed from spring to fall with organic, standard or cacti liquid fertilizer every 4th to 8th week.
New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature
Kleinia stapeliiformis can be grown warm the year round. A winter rest period at 10 to 15 °C (50 to 59 °F) will be tolerated. Minimum temperature is 10 °C (50 °F).
Propagation
Propagation can be done with seeds, cuttings and runners.
Profile
Scientific name
Kleinia stapeliiformis (syn. Senecio stapeliiformis)
Common name(s)
Pickle Plant, Candystick Plant
Family
Asteraceae
Origin
South Africa
Height
Up to 40 cm
Toxic
No but not edible
Ajania pacifica
Senecio kleiniiformis
Senecio rowleyanus