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by Bridget
(Orlando, FL)

blue green long sticks but not blue chalk sticks 21628423
thumb blue green long sticks but not blue chalk sticks 21628423
thumb blue green long sticks but not blue chalk sticks 21628424

Looks like “Blue Chalk Sticks” but does not grow as they do.

In less than a year, these 4 stalks have grown this large from about 5″. They started to topple over so I clipped them to bamboo sticks and they just kind of kept going! I move the sticks about once a month to keep them from toppling over again.

The plant is starting to look weird and I was trying to see how/if I should either plant or prune it but I don’t know the name.

I’ve found blue chalk sticks, but those seem to be more “bushy” whereas mine is more “stalky”.

Any ideas?

Great site… thanks!

Drought Smart Plants says – thank you for the compliment!

Bridget, I’m curious where you have this – it almost looks like it needs more light.

I’m thinking this is some kind of Senecio, the same genus as the Blue Chalk Sticks, but most likely Senecio mandraliscae or another similar species.

These all require quite bright light to stay compact.

I would recommend that you chop the tops off and cut them into sections to re-root.

These plants all seem to be quite okay with that, and you’ll get lots of nice bushy plants from the long gangly parts, plus the bottom part will also make new growth from several places, also making a much more compact plant.

Be brave!
Jacki

See these pages for more:

Succulent Plants miscellaneous (scroll down to the picture of Senecio mandraliscae)

Pruning Succulent Plants

Wanting to learn more about Succulent Plant Propagation?

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buy the Succulent Plant Propagation E-Book

Comments for Blue green long sticks (but not blue chalk sticks…?)

Mar 24, 2012

Response to Senecio mandraliscae
by: Bridget G

Yep i think youre right!!

I do have it under a patio. I’ll cut some off and move to an all day sun area and keep you posted on what happens.

Thanks so much Jacki!

You’re welcome! 🙂

Jun 10, 2019

I have that plant also
by: Jessie

Mine grows just like hers. I have it in nice bright light. It is cool the way it wanders all over. I think I read it could be a ground cover. It is more spindly than the chalk or fingers plant and the leaves are not round but have 3 flat sides that make it even more interesting. (They look round from a distance.) It is silver/grey and somewhat mottled or variegated.

I would LOVE to know what it is! . Thanks, Jessie

Mar 21, 2021

Cotyledon orbiculata ”grey sticks”
by: araess

This looks like senecio but believe it is actually a Cotyledon orbiculata variant

Sep 10, 2021

I have this too and I think I know what it is
by: Kristin

I don’t know how to post a photo of my plant, I’ve had it for about 3 years, is very long and meandering. It’s perfect for a top shelf, I have mine on a ladder as the vines become heavy it goes downward, the the ends then grow upward again. I have mine in a full-sun window all day.


Bing image search.

Feb 02, 2022

Not blue but really tall
by: Joan

I think mine is some sort of senecio but I don’t know what kind at kind bcuz it’s bright green growing awesome in a South facing window for the past 9 months but does not branch out and hasn’t gotten any flowers.