Caputia scaposa (Woolly Senecio)

Botanical & Common Names
- Botanical name: Caputia scaposa
- Common names: Wooly Senecio

Background & Origin
Native to the arid regions of South Africa, Caputia scaposa (formerly Senecio scaposa) grows naturally on rocky slopes and dry scrubland. It forms a striking rosette of elongated, bean-shaped leaves coated in a dense white–silvery wool, an adaptation that helps protect the plant from intense sun and moisture loss. This distinctive covering gives rise to its well-known common name and makes it instantly recognisable among South African succulents.

Care Level
- Care level: Easy
- Suitable for beginners: Yes

What It Loves
- Bright warm spot
- Letting the compost dry out

What It Dislikes
- Overwatering or sitting in soggy soil
- Dark spots will cause legginess

Best Rooms for This Plant
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Office
- Conservatory

Growth Potential
- Typical height indoors: only reach 10 cm in height
- Typical spread: Up to 45 cm to 1 meter wide
- Growth rate: Slow growing
- Pruning required: Occasional, to remove dead leaves

Is This Plant Right for You?
This plant is a great choice if you:
- You love unusual, sculptural foliage
- You’re drawn to soft, silvery tones
- You enjoy slow-growing statement plants

Light
- Best light: Bright warm spot with some direct sunlight
- Avoid: dark shady spot

Watering
- Frequency: Water when soil is completely dry,
- Seasonal note: Reduce watering in winter when growth slows to almost none.

Humidity
- Prefers: No humidity
- Extra humidity helpful?: These plants are native to arid conditions and do not require humidity.

Feeding
- Feed with: A balanced houseplant fertiliser
- Frequency: Once or twice during growing season during spring and summer. No feeding is needed during autumn and winter.

Toxicity
- Pet safe: No
- Notes: Keep out of reach of pets and small children to avoid leaf damage.

Repotting
- How often: Once a year
- Signs it’s needed: Roots growing out of the drainage holes, slower growth, or soil drying very quickly. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one to avoid overwatering.