Curio herreanus 'Purple Flush'

Namibian roots and the ‘Purple Flush’ form

Curio herreanus is native to Namibia, where it grows in desert and dry shrubland habitats.

‘Purple Flush’ is a cultivated form grown for the burgundy-purple colouring that can develop across its stems and leaves.

Light, colour and succulent care for ‘Purple Flush’

• Light and colour: Give ‘Purple Flush’ very bright light, including gentle direct sun once the plant has gradually adjusted to it. Strong light keeps the strands compact and brings out more burgundy-purple colour.
• Water: Let the mix dry through and wait for the pot to feel light, then soak the root ball fully and drain it. Use pot weight and leaf firmness as guides between waterings.
• Potting mix: Use a fast-draining succulent mix with plenty of pumice, lava, grit or perlite.
• Temperature and airflow: Indoor temperatures of 10–25 °C suit this plant. Average to dry household air and gentle circulation around the crown help the potting mix dry evenly.
• Pruning and propagation: Trim a long or sparse strand above a healthy node to encourage branching. Lay cut stem sections across gritty mix so several nodes touch the surface.
• Repotting: Move it to fresh mix when the root ball fills the pot or when old gritty mix packs down and absorbs water unevenly. Use a slightly larger container.
• Feeding: Use a small amount of dilute succulent fertiliser occasionally while new stems and leaves are growing.
• Handling: Place it beyond the reach of children and pets. Use gloves for pruning; Curio sap can irritate skin.

Sorting out colour, growth and pest problems on ‘Purple Flush’

• Fresh growth staying mainly green: Mainly green new growth usually points to light that is too weak to bring out the purple tones. Increase light gradually and watch the next section of stem for deeper burgundy-purple colour.
• Wrinkled or slightly flattened leaves: If the potting mix has dried through and the container feels noticeably lighter, watering is due; root damage can leave the leaves shrivelled afterwards. Check the roots and potting mix first. If the mix is dry and the roots feel firm, soak the pot thoroughly.
• Soft glassy leaves or a dark collapsing crown: Rot is likely when leaves become glassy or the crown turns dark and collapses. Inspect stems and roots. Cut every soft brown section back to firm tissue with a clean disinfected blade, discard the decay and re-root healthy pieces in fresh gritty mix.
• Wide gaps and thin new growth: Limited light often stretches new stems and widens the gaps between leaves. Move the pot closer to a bright window and increase direct light gradually so new sections develop denser leaf spacing.
• Cottony clusters or small scale-like bumps: Cottony clusters suggest mealybugs. Small fixed bumps suggest scale insects. Isolate the plant and inspect the stem and leaf bases. Clear away visible pests, then use a suitable product labelled for the confirmed pest. Follow the repeat interval on the label.

For colour changes mixed with physical damage, Foliage Factory support can separate the likely causes.

Keep Curio herreanus ‘Purple Flush’ away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

The meaning and history of Curio herreanus

Curio is linked to the Latin curiosus, meaning curious, in reference to the group's unusual forms. Herreanus honours Hans Herre.

Paul V. Heath established the genus Curio in 1997 in Calyx, volume 5, page 136.

Moritz Kurt Dinter first described it as Senecio herreanus in 1932 in Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis, volume 30, page 180. Paul V. Heath later placed it in Curio as Curio herreanus in 1999 in Calyx, volume 6, page 54.