Curio radicans (Blue Pickle)

A trailing succulent from southern Africa

Curio radicans, formerly known as Senecio radicans, is native to South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia. Its South African range includes the Cape Provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Provinces.

The species creeps or trails across dry open ground. The blue-green cultivated form develops curved fleshy leaves along slender stems and retains the low spreading structure of the species.

Care for water-storing roots and leaves

Support and watering

Let stems trail freely or pin selected lengths across the pot to build a fuller surface. Before moving Blue Pickle, coil the strands without tightening them and hold the crown so their wet weight cannot tear the roots.

Sunlight for blue-green trailing stems

Set Blue Pickle at a sunny south-, west- or bright east-facing window, introducing several hours of direct sun gradually. Adequate light keeps the curved blue-grey leaves firm and densely spaced along the stems, while weak daylight gives thin internodes and loose trailing growth.

A full soak for curved pickle leaves

Wait until most of the mix has dried before watering Blue Pickle. The stored water in the leaves supports a normal dry interval, not prolonged neglect; the roots also fail if the substrate stays wet and airless.

Shallow drainage along rooting stems

Fine shallow roots and rooting nodes spread most effectively through a broad container. Blue Pickle needs a shallow cactus mix loosened generously with pumice, lava, perlite or grit.

Humidity and airflow

Blue Pickle needs no special humidity increase. Normal room air, combined with open placement, lets the stem bases and mineral surface dry as intended.

Feeding

When Blue Pickle is producing stems, fertilise at a low dose. Feed lightly because fast, weak growth is more likely to snap and lose its blue bloom.

Problems along the pickle-shaped leaves of Curio Blue Pickle

The curved blue pickles lose their plumpness

Firm wrinkles on a dry, well-rooted plant indicate that stored water is low. If the mix is wet or the vine base is brown, root failure is more likely. Inspect first, then water sound dry roots thoroughly or take healthy cuttings above a damaged base. Repeated small sips encourage a weak shallow crown.

New pickles are long, flat and far apart

Low light stretches both stems and leaves, weakening the compact blue chain. Move the plant gradually into stronger light and ensure it reaches both the pot surface and the hanging ends. New growth should become closer and fuller; old flattened leaves will not change shape.

Pale dry patches appear on the window-facing side

Blue succulent tissue can scorch after an abrupt exposure to intense sun. The patch is dry, fixed and usually confined to the exposed side. Acclimatise more slowly and retain any firm green-blue tissue. A wet-looking patch or a lesion advancing along the stem is not ordinary sunburn.

Pickles turn yellow and translucent near the pot

This combination points to excess moisture and early stem rot. Thirst produces dry, deflated tissue. Lift the vines, clear dead material and cut every affected strand back to a firm interior. Allow clean tips to callus before rerooting in a gritty mix. Do not wait until the hanging section collapses.

Curio radicans is toxic to cats and dogs

• Keep this plant away from cats and dogs that may chew it.
• It may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can damage the liver after enough plant material is swallowed.
• Possible signs include vomiting, weakness or delayed liver problems. Contact a veterinarian promptly after suspected ingestion.

Why is it called Curio radicans?

Curio is linked to the Latin curiosus, meaning curious, in reference to the group's unusual forms. The epithet radicans is Latin for taking root and refers to stems that form roots where their nodes touch suitable ground.

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

Carl Linnaeus the Younger first described it as Cacalia radicans in 1782 in Supplementum Plantarum, page 354. Paul V. Heath later placed it in Curio as Curio radicans in 1999 in Calyx, volume 6, page 55.