Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Senecio andersonii Plant Care
Senecio spartioides Torr. & A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Senecio spartioides is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name broom-like ragwort. It is native to the western United States as far east as the Dakotas and Texas, and northern Mexico. It can be found in dry, rocky, often disturbed areas in a number of habitat types. It is a subshrub which can exceed a meter in height, its arching stems growing from a woody-topped taproot. The leaves are linear in shape and up to 10 centimeters long. The leaves usually have smooth, unlobed edges, but slightly lobed leaves are seen at times. The leaves are evenly distributed along the stems, the ones low on the stems withering away early, giving the plant a naked appearance on the lower half while the top is still lush green and blooming. The inflorescences are spreading, flat-topped arrays of many cylindrical flower heads. The heads contain yellow disc florets and generally either 5 or 8 ray florets each about a centimeter long.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light to full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Senecio andersonii?
Water Senecio andersonii 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 andersonii Native To?
What Is the Senecio andersonii?
Senecio andersonii (Senecio spartioides) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Senecio genus. Senecio andersonii is native to the western United States as far east as the Dakotas, Texas, and northern Mexico. Senecio andersonii is also known as Senecio incurvus, Senecio multicapitatus, Senecio serra.
Senecio andersonii displays an upright, trailing, or clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Senecio andersonii produces small, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Senecio andersonii?
Senecio spartioides 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 andersonii Need?
Senecio andersonii thrives in bright indirect light to full sun. Avoid placing Senecio andersonii 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 andersonii Prefer?
Senecio spartioides grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Senecio andersonii prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Senecio andersonii?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Senecio andersonii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Senecio andersonii?
Feed Senecio andersonii 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 andersonii?
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 andersonii?
Senecio andersonii 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 andersonii 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 andersonii?
Senecio andersonii 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 andersonii Need?
Senecio andersonii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Senecio andersonii is native to the western United States as far east as the Dakotas, Texas, and northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Senecio andersonii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Senecio andersonii 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 andersonii 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 spartioides Torr. & A.Gray, family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. N. Amer. 2: 438 (1843)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Senecio andersonii 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: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Senecio andersonii Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species