Photo: carolCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Species Plantarum Plant Care
Senecio vulgaris L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Senecio vulgaris, often known by the common names groundsel: 764 and old-man-in-the-spring, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is an annual herb, native to Europe and widely naturalised as a ruderal species in suitable disturbed habitats worldwide.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light to full sun
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Species Plantarum?
Water Species Plantarum 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.
What Is the Species Plantarum?
Species Plantarum (Senecio vulgaris) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Senecio genus. Species Plantarum is native to the Palaearctic and widely naturalised as a ruderal species in suitable disturbed habitats worldwide. Species Plantarum is also known as Senecio vulgaris.
Species Plantarum displays an upright, trailing, or clumping habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Species Plantarum produces small, daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Species Plantarum?
Senecio vulgaris 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 Species Plantarum Need?
Species Plantarum thrives in bright indirect light to full sun. Avoid placing Species Plantarum 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 Species Plantarum Prefer?
Senecio vulgaris grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Species Plantarum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Species Plantarum?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Species Plantarum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Species Plantarum?
Feed Species Plantarum 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 Species Plantarum?
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 Species Plantarum?
Species Plantarum 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 Species Plantarum 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 Species Plantarum?
Species Plantarum 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 Species Plantarum Need?
Species Plantarum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Species Plantarum is native to the Palaearctic and widely naturalised as a ruderal species in suitable disturbed habitats worldwide. In cooler regions, grow Species Plantarum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Species Plantarum 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.
Species Plantarum 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 vulgaris L., family Asteraceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 867 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Species Plantarum 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: carol, 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.
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