Description

Senecio Angel Wings is prized for its large, velvety, silver-white leaves that form a soft, mounded clump with striking contrast in beds and patio containers. Grown primarily for foliage, it brings a modern, architectural look to plantings and pairs beautifully with Mediterranean and succulent companions. In mild climates it is semi-evergreen; elsewhere it’s often treated as a dramatic annual.

Suggested Uses

Plant Details

• Botanical NameSenecio candicans ‘Angel Wings’ (syn. Jacobaea candicans ‘Angel Wings’)
• Common NameAngel Wings Senecio
• Size & Growth10–16 in tall × 12–24 in wide; mounded clumps of large, velvety leaves.
• Hardiness ZonesUSDA 8–10(11). Not frost-hardy—grow as an annual or overwinter indoors in colder zones.
• Foliage TypeBroad, velvety, silver-white leaves; evergreen in mild climates; primary ornamental feature.
• Bloom TimeOccasional summer blooms (yellow daisies); flowering is infrequent—grown mostly for foliage.
• Growth RateModerate to fast in warm, bright conditions with sharp drainage.
• Light RequirementsFull sun to light shade; best silver color with 6+ hours of sun. Indoors, provide bright direct light.
• Attracts PollinatorsLow; flowers (if present) may attract bees, but the plant is chiefly valued for foliage.
• Indoor FriendlyYes—thrives in very bright light with low to moderate watering and excellent drainage.
• Container FriendlyExcellent; ideal for patio pots, raised planters, and mixed succulent combinations.
• Deer ResistantYes—fuzzy leaves are typically unpalatable to deer and rabbits.
• Pet WarningToxic if ingested (Senecio spp. contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids). Keep away from pets and children.
• FragrantNo—foliage is not fragrant; any occasional blooms have little scent.
• Cut FlowerNot a traditional cut flower; silver leaves can be used as accent foliage (3–5 days in arrangements).
• Grows Well WithGrows Well With Lavender, rosemary, salvia, gaura, euphorbia, sedum, echeveria, dusty miller, and blue fescue.

Care Tips

• Planting InstructionsPlant after frost in full sun to light shade. Space 12–18 in apart. Set the crown level with soil; use containers with drainage holes. Acclimate to strong sun over 7–10 days.
• Soil MoistureLow to moderate. Let the top 1–2 in of soil dry between waterings; avoid wet, cold soils to prevent rot.
• Soil TypeFast-draining, sandy or gritty mix. In pots, use a cactus/succulent blend amended with perlite or pumice; pH neutral to slightly alkaline.
• HumidityPrefers low to average humidity with good airflow; avoid persistently humid, stagnant conditions that spot leaves.
• Pruning InstructionsRemove yellowed or damaged leaves at the base. Pinch lightly to maintain a compact mound. Deadhead any flower stalks to prioritize foliage quality.
• Winter CareProtect from frost. In zones <8, overwinter indoors in a bright, cool room (45–55°F) and keep nearly dry. In mild zones, ensure excellent drainage and avoid winter wet.
• Planting DepthPlant at the same depth as in the nursery pot; do not bury the crown. Choose a container 1–2 in wider than the root ball.
• FertilizationLight feeder. Apply a balanced, diluted (¼–½ strength) liquid feed monthly in spring–summer, or a light slow-release at planting. Do not fertilize in winter.
• Special CareWater soil, not foliage, to avoid spotting. Rotate container for even light. Watch for mealybugs and root rot; correct with improved drainage and reduced watering.

Tip: Best color and tight habit occur with high light, lean soil, and restrained watering.