SKU: 21385611315
blue pencil succulent

blue pencil succulent Shop 'Blue Chalk Sticks - Senecio mandraliscae' Care and Info

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Description

blue pencil succulent Shop 'Blue Chalk Sticks - Senecio mandraliscae' Care and InfoIf you're looking for a popular trailing plant that creates great groundcover, then look no further than Blue Chalk Sticks or Blue Chalk Fingers, also known as Senecio mandraliscae, a stunning variety of Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae! This unique spreading blue chalkstick produces pencil like, blue green fleshy leaves that form a dense mat and is of great ornamental appeal as one of the most popular and trendy groundcovers. Native to South

If you're looking for a popular trailing plant that creates great groundcover, then look no further than Blue Chalk Sticks or Blue Chalk Fingers, also known as Senecio mandraliscae, a stunning variety of Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae

This unique spreading blue chalkstick produces pencil-like, blue-green fleshy leaves that form a dense mat and is of great ornamental appeal as one of the most popular and trendy groundcovers.

Native to South Africa, these low-growing blue chalk sticks with thick, 4-inch-long silvery-green leaves give the succulent plant the appearance of a mass of fingers or chalk sticks reaching up to the sky. 

The blechalk stick is a great groundcover and adds a nice color accent to make other plants stand out in a garden or landscape.

Additionally, the blue chalk stick's low-growing and spreading nature helps suppress weed growth, making it an excellent choice for areas that require minimal maintenance.

These plants use their tendrils to latch onto structures and support their growth, creating a stunning vertical display. It can grow up to 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide, forming a dense mat of blue-gray leaves.

You will notice that the leaves tend to curl upward, making it look like it's stretching out for some sunshine. It's like a little garden masterpiece! 

When it comes to flowering, the blue chalk sticks produce daisy-like flowers. In the mid-summer and early autumn, this plant produces small white flowers on top of the foliage. 

But there's more to this blue chalk stick than its good looks; it's also drought-tolerant and incredibly easy to care for, making it perfect for beginners or anyone looking to add a splash of color to a large planter or border area of their garden. It creates a cool blue-green carpet that contrasts with green plants, giving your garden an eye-catching appeal.

When and How to Water Your Blue Chalk Sticks 

As drought-tolerant plants, these chalk sticks Senecio mandraliscae can thrive with less frequent watering, and if you forget to water them for a month or more, they will probably survive just fine.  Make sure to allow the topsoil to dry between each watering session and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. This is especially the case with blue chalk sticks Senecio mandraliscae, as they don't do well in moist soil, which can result in root rot.  

In the spring and summer, during the growing season, your blue chalk sticks plants typically need to be watered every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In the fall and winter, during the dormant season, reduce watering to once a month or less, as the plant requires less moisture when not actively growing. 

Watch out for signs of dehydration, such as a pale discoloration and shriveled stem, indicating that your blue chalk stick is consuming its interior water supply.   

Light Requirements - Where to Place Your Blue Chalk Stick Plants 

If grown indoors as a houseplant, place your chalk stick plant directly in front of a west- or south-facing window. If they don't receive enough light, their stems may grow leggy and become paler, and their spines will shorten, so make your succulent happy and give it plenty of light.

For outdoor cultivation, Senecio mandraliscae thrives in conditions with full sun to partial shade. Ideally, the plant should receive at least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily to maintain its vibrant blue-green color and promote healthy growth.

During periods of intense heat, especially in summer, partial shade can be beneficial to prevent stress and discoloration. Excessive sun exposure during the hottest part of the day may cause the leaves to bleach or scorch, which can weaken the plant over time.

Providing adequate light is one of the most important aspects of caring for Senecio mandraliscae, ensuring it maintains its iconic chalky blue hue and compact, sprawling habit.

When grown in optimal lighting, these succulents are highly resilient, requiring minimal maintenance which makes them ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes or rock gardens. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The blue chalk sticks Senecio mandraliscae favor very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and, most likely, root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally, use our specialized potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your blue chalk stick succulent plants thrive.

When it comes to fertilizers, balanced (5-10-5) NPK fertilizers also last longer and keep your soil alive by adding other beneficial compounds and microbes that encourage blue chalk stick health and nutrient absorption. So, skip those harsh chemicals and give your succulent some love with some awesome organic fertilizer! 

Hardiness Zones & More 

When growing indoors as a houseplant, they perform best in a range of 65–80°F with bright, indirect light. They are highly tolerant of low humidity, making them a perfect fit for most indoor environments. Avoid placing them in overly humid areas, as excessive moisture can lead to fungal issues or root rot. Proper ventilation and well-draining soil are crucial to maintaining healthy growth indoors.

For outdoor cultivation, Senecio mandraliscae is best suited for USDA zones 9–11, where temperatures remain mild year-round. In these regions, the plant can be grown as a perennial and withstands the occasional temperature dip as long as it stays above 30°F.

If temperatures drop below this threshold, consider covering the plant or bringing it indoors. 

Blue Chalk Sticks are heat-loving plants but can be sensitive to prolonged humidity. In areas with high humidity, ensure proper soil drainage and avoid overwatering, as these conditions can increase the risk of rot. They flourish in dry to moderately humid conditions, making them ideal for Mediterranean or arid landscapes. 

Wildlife - Blue Chalk Sticks Attract the Following Friendly Pollinators

Blue Chalk Stick succulent is a popular choice for gardens due to its vibrant blue-green foliage and low maintenance requirements. This succulent plant attracts a variety of friendly pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its small, star-shaped flowers that bloom in the summer months. By incorporating Blue Chalk Sticks into your landscape, you can create a welcoming environment for these beneficial insects and birds while adding a pop of color to your outdoor space.

Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds

According to the ASPCA, blue chalk sticks are mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested in large amounts. They are safe to handle if touched, but it is recommended to wash hands thoroughly after use to prevent any potential irritation or allergic reactions.

How to Propagate Your Senecio mandraliscae

To propagate your Senecio mandraliscae, you can easily do so through stem cuttings. Simply take a cutting from a healthy, mature plant and allow it to callus over for a few days before planting it in well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and place the cutting in a bright, indirect light location to encourage root growth. Additionally, you can also propagate your blue chalk sticks through division by carefully separating the offsets or pups from the main plant and replanting them in their own pots. This method can help you create new plants quickly and easily.

Key Takeaways

  1. Its low-growing, spreading habit makes it an excellent ground cover, especially for filling in spaces between larger plants or along pathways.
  2. With its striking blue-gray foliage and drought tolerance, Blue Chalk Sticks is a favorite choice for rock gardens, coastal landscapes, and xeriscaping designs.
  3. As a succulent, it thrives in dry conditions and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for arid and water-wise gardens.
  4. The plant's mat-forming growth helps stabilize soil on slopes, preventing erosion while adding visual appeal.
  5. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round color and texture, even in regions with mild winters, making it a versatile and low-maintenance addition to landscapes.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio mandraliscae) are known for their striking blue-gray foliage and their ability to create a stunning ground cover or container plant. Blue Chalk Sticks thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, making them a great choice for gardens or landscapes with hot and dry conditions. They require minimal water once established and are drought-tolerant, making them low-maintenance plants. With their vibrant blue color and trailing habit, blue chalk sticks add a touch of beauty and interest to any garden or succulent collection. 

We think you will love this Senecio plant. Order your very own Senecio mandraliscae today and start enjoying its beauty in no time! 

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4.3 ★★★★★
Based on 26 reviews
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capriceclassic
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome for hyper dogs
Color: Blue
AWESOME - I have a dog that just won't stop trying to get me to play with him ALL day! I turn this thing on and he goes nuts and tires himself out...without any help from me. The cover got torn off and torn up in minutes but he doesn't care. He just wants this ball. My other dogs, who are older, aren't really interested. But if you have a hyper dog this is the thing for you and them!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Shannon
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Great entertainment, charges quickly!
Color: Orange
Super fun entertainment for dog! Toy ball charges quickly and the charge lasts for at least an hour of playtime for the dog. There are 2 modes. one mode Just lights up, which makes it easy for pet to chase it. The second mode not only lights up, but it also wiggles on the ground Randomly and speeds off in a direction on its own, which really makes it interesting for your dog or cat to follow! Once the ball is not touched for about thirty seconds, it goes dormant and it will stay like that As long as it's charged until somebody touches it, and then it starts up randomly lighting up and moving around the floor on its own And making a vibration noise. It's a lot of fun to watch the dog chase and play with, and it certainly keeps them entertained for a while! The laughs and fun entertainment are definitely worth it. The only downside is that my dog chewed off the soft fabric covering in about twenty minutes.And she's not a real big chewer. It looks better with the covering on it, but even without it, the ball works fine and she plays with it every day.So that is not a showstopper. But good to supervise your dog for safety.In case they are a chewer, and they decide to destroy the cover. But the ball works fine without the cover too!
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Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Shanna S.
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 4
Looooves her crazy new ball
Color: Orange, Color: Orange
Our 90lb mastiff/boxer mix Indie is very playful, curious and energetic. She needs toys that engage her and keep her busy. This ball does the job! We’ve had it for less than a week. Here’s what I love and what could be better: PROS: • She dog loves it. She whines for it. She gets absurdly excited when I get it out. She’s a bit of an anxious dog, but had zero problems with it inexplicably coming to life. • It lasts a while on a single charge, so it keeps her busy for a good long time. The longest we’ve used it at a stretch is an hour. • It’s pretty durable. She’s a super chewer (destroyed every “non-destructible” toy we’ve purchased for her), but the actual ball is hard plastic. She gnaws on it and it gets scratches, for sure. But she’s not going to chew it to pieces. • On carpet, it’s reasonably quiet. • It comes with a replaceable silicone button. • It’s easy to charge…just pull off the silicone button and the charging port is inside. • The silicone button is flush with the ball’s hard plastic surface, so there’s no way for her to pull the silicone button out and swallow it or get to the charging port. CONS: • Cover is worthless if your dog is a chewer. It goes on like an envelope with a Velcro closure. We took it off immediately. • Without the cover, it’s very noisy on hardwood floors. To us, it’s worth it. (Though, I work from home, so I might feel differently after the holiday vacation.) • She’s an XL dog, so she can fit the whole ball in her mouth easily and accidentally chomp down on the button and turn the ball off. Not a big deal, just something to know if you’ve got a Lab or larger dog. • With extended playtime, the two halves can come unscrewed, especially with a large dog who uses their paws/jaws on it a lot. Thankfully, it makes a loud buzzing noise when this happens, so we know we need to take it from her and screw it back together. Is this a potential danger? With the rechargeable battery inside, I’d say yes. But we also don’t let her play with this toy without supervision. So keep that in mind. Bottom line: It has its drawbacks, but it keeps her entertained and seems like it should last her at least 6 months with supervised play. Which is honestly REALLY good when we’re talking about Indie, Destroyer of Toys. I’d buy it again.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
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Verified Purchase
T. Bock
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 3
Difficult/impossible to unscrew plastic cups (in order to recharge the vibrating/blinking device)
Color: Orange
Generally, I don't leave feedback on items purchased. However, in this case, I feel compelled to do so in hopes the mechanical engineers (of this product) will take my input to heart and ultimately modify it. First the pros... - I have 2 high-energy dogs (Jack Russell Terriers) who love their toys (e.g., chewing bones, tug-of-war, etc.) but usually get bored with them rather quickly. - This interactive PetDroid ball, however, keeps them busy for a long time. - In fact, my smaller dog (Max) knows its storage location and sits (as early as 6 AM) in front of the cabinet so that I give him "his ball". It keeps him busy for up to 1-2 hours at a time. - Max is literally addicted to the PetDroid ball... his determinant play with it makes me laugh all the time. Now, the cons... - After several days of play, the exterior looks chewed up quite a bit. That's no problem though. - Unfortunately, the interior "threads/grooves" of the two plastic cups (for closing/fasting) are very tiny. - Thus, after an hour-long hard play, it is almost impossible to unscrew the 2 plastic cups in order to recharge the interior device. - It appears the 2 cups somehow come off track and get realigned from the inside. - At that point, I cannot unscrew the PetDroid ball in order to recharge the device.... and without the blinking/vibration, this toy is no longer fun for play. - Ultimately, I had to place the bottom half of the ball into a vise and then use a plumbing wrench to untwist it. Proposed Solution: - Increase the size of the plastic cups' interior threads/grooves so that they won't get realigned/come off track. - This would mitigate the current dilemma of NOT being able to unscrew the ball in order to recharge it. In my view, this should be a relatively simple fix and significantly improve the durability of this product. Thank you for your time.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2022
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Verified Purchase
Scott L.
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Good fun and entertaining!
Color: Orange
A really fun interactive toy for your dog! It's pretty erratic and really gets him chasing it. The included soft cover was kinda hard to install and then it's hard to turn it off and on with the cover on, I feel like the cover didn't really improve it at all, sure it's louder without the cover but I feel like dog also likes it that way, he likes loud squeaky toys and this thing making a bunch of noise is appealing to him. We have mostly hardwood floors so it really gets moving, I'm sure on carpet it would be a bit quieter and maybe even a bit slower to move around but on hard smooth surfaces this things can really get zipping around abd get some speed to make him chase it. Overall a fun and entertaining toy.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2026

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