Photo: Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Young.Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Senecio hydrophilus Plant Care
Senecio hydrophilus Hoffmanns. & Link ex Nyman
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Senecio hydrophilus is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names water ragwort and alkali-marsh ragwort. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado, where it grows in swampy places such as marshes. It can grow in standing water, including alkaline and salty water. It is a biennial or perennial herb producing a single erect stem or a cluster of a few stems which may exceed one meter in maximum height, at times approaching two meters. The stem is hollow, waxy in texture, and often pale green in color, and it emerges from a small caudex. The thick leaves are lance-shaped to oval with smooth or toothed edges, the blades up to 20 centimeters long and borne on petioles. Smaller leaves occur farther up the stem. The inflorescence is one or more large, spreading clusters of many flower heads. They contain many yellowish disc florets at the center and sometimes have small yellow ray florets as well.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light to full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Senecio hydrophilus?
Water Senecio hydrophilus every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Senecio hydrophilus Native To?
What Is the Senecio hydrophilus?
Senecio hydrophilus (Senecio hydrophilus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Senecio genus. Senecio hydrophilus is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado. Senecio hydrophilus is also known as Senecio sandvicensis.
Senecio hydrophilus displays an upright, trailing, or clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Senecio hydrophilus produces small, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Senecio hydrophilus?
Senecio hydrophilus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Senecio hydrophilus Need?
Senecio hydrophilus thrives in bright indirect light to full sun. Avoid placing Senecio hydrophilus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Senecio hydrophilus Prefer?
Senecio hydrophilus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Senecio hydrophilus prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Senecio hydrophilus?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Senecio hydrophilus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Senecio hydrophilus?
Feed Senecio hydrophilus every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Senecio hydrophilus?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Senecio hydrophilus?
Senecio hydrophilus can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to adenotrichia amplexicaulis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Senecio hydrophilus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Senecio hydrophilus?
Senecio hydrophilus is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Senecio hydrophilus Need?
Senecio hydrophilus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Senecio hydrophilus is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to Colorado. In cooler regions, grow Senecio hydrophilus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Senecio hydrophilus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Senecio genus — compare its care with other Senecio species on PlantoScan.
Senecio is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Senecio hydrophilus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Senecio Species
Other Senecio species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Senecio hydrophilus Hoffmanns. & Link ex Nyman, family Asteraceae (first published in Consp. Fl. Eur. 2: 356. 1879 [Oct 1879]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Senecio hydrophilus is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Young., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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