A woolly surface
Dense hairs cover the leaves and young stems, creating a silvery-white appearance.
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The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Wearing wool, whatever the weather 🧶
Senecio ‘mont blanc’ stands out like a little silvery-white brushstroke among green succulents. Its fleshy, almost cylindrical leaves are covered in dense white hairs that soften the outline and suggest a woolly surface. Its interest lies in that contrast: substantial leaves with a light appearance, a quiet colour that brightens the display, and a shape that remains distinctive even without flowers.
Short stems gradually branch to form a small, upright shrub. It suits simple arrangements with room to appreciate its texture, beside smooth green surfaces or dark rosettes. Its white presence gives the colour palette breathing space without depending on a showy flowering display.
The contrast between fleshy leaves and white hairs defines its appearance.
Dense hairs cover the leaves and young stems, creating a silvery-white appearance.
Narrow, thick leaves have a different geometry from the flat rosettes of many succulents.
Branching produces more growing tips over time and a fuller, upright outline.
For a silvery texture that stands out without adding another strong colour to the collection.
Choose a sunny windowsill with airflow or a sheltered outdoor position in the warm season. Introduce strong sun gradually.
Combine different surfaces in separate pots. This preserves the visual contrast while each plant is watered when it needs it.
A very bright to sunny position, introduced gradually. Not a permanently dark corner.
Let the mix dry between waterings. Water at the base and allow full drainage.
Protect from frost and winter rain. In winter, keep in a bright position around 5–10°C or warmer, with water reduced accordingly.
Toxic if eaten. Keep away from children and pets; wear gloves when handling and wash your hands.
A bright position supports denser growth. If stems stretch with large gaps between leaves, consider whether more light is needed, increasing it gradually.
Moisten the dry mix and let excess water escape. Do not retain water in the saucer or repeatedly mist the hairy foliage.
Use succulent compost with a high proportion of porous mineral ingredients. The pot needs a free drainage hole and should not be excessively large.
Cold and lower light slow the drying of compost. Water much less often, keeping the plant away from frost and prolonged rain.
During active growth, use a specialist low-nitrogen cactus and succulent liquid fertiliser at the label dose. Do not add feed while pre-fertilised compost supplies its initial nutrition, roughly 180 days for the suggested mix.
With time, the species can approach 50cm in height, with the pot and conditions restricting growth. Repot when roots fill the pot. Remove dead material carefully without rubbing away the white hairs.
The accepted species name is Caputia tomentosa, in Asteraceae. The older name Senecio haworthii remains common in the trade.
The commercial name Senecio ‘mont blanc’ is used for this white-haired form, with narrow fleshy leaves and branching stems.
The wild species occurs in arid and semi-arid parts of South Africa, including the Richtersveld and Karoo, in exposed rocky sites.
In the wild, Caputia tomentosa also occurs on exposed slopes with quartz rocks. Its fleshy foliage and dense hairs belong to this dry environment. In a pot, the practical equivalent is plenty of light, a porous mix and time to dry, rather than constant moisture around the roots.
The silvery-white appearance comes from dense surface hairs rather than white leaf variegation. Living photosynthetic tissue lies beneath this covering.
The almost cylindrical cross-section provides storage volume with relatively less exposed surface than a very thin, broad leaf.
When it flowers, the small inflorescence consists of tubular florets grouped into a head. It is not a simple flower with a large ring of petals.
The transfer from Senecio to Caputia reflects a newer taxonomic boundary. The two names do not mean that the plant changed shape or became a different colour selection.
Essential questions about the white hairs and the right position.
The even white hairs are a natural feature. They differ from localised cottony insect deposits in leaf axils.
Regular misting is unnecessary. Water the compost instead and provide good air circulation.
Not for chewing or eating. Keep it out of reach of pets and children.
That is not a suitable permanent position. It needs plenty of light to maintain more compact growth.
It needs protection from frost and rain. Conditions in a pot are not equivalent to those of a wild population.
Gently remove only loose debris. Avoid leaf shine, vigorous rubbing or attempts to remove the white hairs.
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.