Senecio Angel Wings

• Variety: Angel Wings
• Latin name: Senecio candidans Angel Wings 'Senaw' (PBR)
• Type: Tender evergreen perennial
• Foliage: Large, silvery-white, velvety leaves
• Flower: Yellow, but rarely produced
• Height: 40cm
• Spread: 40cm
• Hardiness: Half-hardy (H3), to -5°C
• Position: Full sun, well-drained soil
• Sold as: P9 and 2-litre pot-grown plants, grown on by us
• Plant outdoors: After last frost, or grow in a pot year-round
• Delivered: Spring and summer. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Senecio Angel Wings – Silver Leaves You Won't Stop Touching

Angel Wings is a foliage plant, and it makes no apology for it. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, silvery-white, and covered in a soft downy texture that is somewhere between suede and a rabbit's ear. People touch it. They can't help themselves. It's been known to derail business meetings. The plant sitting on someone's desk gets stroked unconsciously while the quarterly numbers are being discussed. That's the kind of impulse appeal you don't get from a begonia.

The leaves grow to about 18cm long and 12cm wide, and the plant forms a neat rounded mound about 40cm tall and wide. Flowers are technically possible, small yellow clusters, but they appear rarely and most growers remove them anyway. Nobody buys Angel Wings for the flowers. They buy it for those astonishing silver leaves.

A Patagonian Discovery

The plant was found in southern Chile by Lyall Fieldes, a plant developer who was supposed to be on a fishing trip. Trekking to a fishing spot in the Patagonia region, he almost stepped on a distinctive silver plant growing among the coastal vegetation. It took some time to identify. It's a member of the Senecio genus, closely related to the familiar dusty miller but far more dramatic. The Patagonian heritage explains a lot: it's salt-tolerant and drought-tolerant, bred by wind and thin soil, which makes it surprisingly tough for something that looks so exotic.

Planting Companions

Silver foliage is the ultimate mixer. Angel Wings looks good next to almost any colour, but it's at its best alongside deep purples, blues, and rich pinks that the silver throws into sharp relief. Lavender is an obvious partner: they share the same appetite for sun and drainage, and the purple flowers against the silver leaves is a combination that works every time. Erigeron Stallone planted at the feet of Angel Wings gives you a carpet of white-to-pink daisies around the silver mound. In a pot, combine it with trailing verbena or dark-leaved heucheras for contrast.

Why buy from Ashridge?

We grow Angel Wings on from licensed stock in peat-free compost, using biological pest controls. It's a tender plant that needs careful handling. We don't dispatch until the weather is kind enough to avoid transit damage. Every plant is guaranteed, and the team in Castle Cary is here if you need advice on overwintering or anything else. See our full range of perennial plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Senecio Angel Wings hardy?

It survives down to about -5°C, which means it's fine outdoors year-round in sheltered, mild, well-drained gardens: typically coastal areas and the south of England. Elsewhere, grow it in a pot and bring it under cover before the first hard frost. It doesn't mind being indoors through winter as long as it gets good light and isn't overwatered. Wet cold kills more Angel Wings plants than dry cold does.

How do I look after Angel Wings in winter?

If growing in a pot, move it to a frost-free spot with good light: a conservatory, cool greenhouse, or bright porch works. Water sparingly, letting the compost dry between waterings. In the ground in mild areas, improve drainage by adding grit when planting and mulch the base with gravel (not bark, which holds moisture). Remove dead or damaged leaves as they appear to prevent rot.

Does Senecio Angel Wings flower?

Rarely, and you probably don't want it to. If it does flower (yellow clusters on tall stems), the plant puts all its energy into the bloom and the foliage suffers. Most growers pinch out any flower stems as soon as they appear to keep the silver leaf mound looking its best.

Can I grow Angel Wings as a houseplant?

Yes, and it does well in a bright room. Place it near a south-facing window, use a free-draining compost (cactus mix with added perlite works), and water sparingly. Don't mist the leaves. The downy surface traps moisture and can develop fungal problems. It's a plant that thrives on neglect: less water and no fuss suits it perfectly.

Is Angel Wings related to dusty miller?

Yes, they're both in the Senecio genus. Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) has finely divided, lacey silver foliage; Angel Wings (Senecio candidans) has broad, heart-shaped, velvety silver leaves, much larger and more dramatic. Think of it as dusty miller's bolder South American cousin. Both share a love of sun and drainage and a deep dislike of wet feet.