Guide to Growing Senecio - Ragwort
The Senecio genus consists of many members; these can be half hardy annuals or half hardy perennials and range in height from 30 to 90cm.
Some Senecio have an attractive grey foliage.
The time that Senecio blooms depends on the species (from early spring through to late on in the winter).
They carry yellow daisy-like flowers. Some common names for Senecio include Ragwort, Cineraria, Groundsel and Dusty Miller.
Senecio vernalis - Eastern groundsel by Matvey Andreyev.
Dusty Miller by Kinez. Both photographs under creative commons licence.
Quick Senecio Growing Guide and Facts
Common Names: Ragwort, Groundsel, Dusty Miller, Butterweed, String of Pearls, Old Man in the Spring, Grimsel, Squaw Weed.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual. Half hardy perennial.
Height: 4 to 40 inches (10 to 100 cm).
Native: Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10. As a perennial in zones 7 to 10.
Flowers: Spring, summer, autumn, winter: species dependent.
Flower Details: Yellow, pink. Ray florets. Rayless. Daisy-like. Clustered.
Foliage: Grey, silver, green. Pinnate. Lobed. Hairy.
Sow Outside: Surface. Before the last frost or in autumn. Spacing 4 to 30 inches (10 to 75 cm).
Sow Inside: Vermiculite. Water from below. Germination time: one to three weeks in the light. Temperature 70°F (21°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost or in autumn in warm areas.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Ordinary soil. Regular watering during dry periods. Pinch tips. Prune once flowering has completed. In autumn. Deadhead. Perennials should be cut back in spring. Propagate perennials: dividing in the spring.
Miscellaneous: Usually grown for their attractive foliage.
How to grow Ragwort and other Senecio
Due to the large range in the Senecio genus it is difficult to describe accurately how to grow all the species. It is important that you do not grow hybrid Senecio from seeds as they will not keep true (grow from purchased plants or divided plants and put out following the last frost of spring).
If growing Senecio species such as Ragwort and Groundsel from seed then sow them in the springtime on the soil surface. Most species prefer sunny conditions and are tolerant of partial shade. Soil should be of an ordinary nature and well drained. If starting indoors, the seeds will take about two to three weeks to germinate at 18 to 22 degrees centigrade and should be grown in the light and watered from below, as Ragwort are easily damaged by water. Plants should be put out following the last frost at a spacing of 15cm (smaller Senecio varieties) through to 60cm for larger species.
Caring for ragwort and similar Senecio species
Senecio plants should be cut back every spring. In prolonged dry periods give Ragwort, Groundsel and other Senecio species a light watering. If you require more plants then propagate Senecio by division in the spring-time.