Japanese name: シロタエギク（白妙菊） Scientific name:Senecio bicolor subsp. cineraria
[Overview]
An evergreen perennial about 50 cm tall.
The base of the stem becomes woody.
The stems and leaves are covered with white hairs, so the whole plant looks white.
As the plant ages, the hairs on the leaves fall off and the leaves turn green.
The leaves are alternate and pinnately divided.
Yellow flower heads are borne in corymbs at the stem tips, with ray florets around the edge of each head and tubular florets in the center.
The fruit is an achene.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by stem cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, well-ventilated place.
In poor light the leaves turn green.
It dislikes heat and humidity, so it is best kept on the dry side: for potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil surface dries, and for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Apply base fertilizer, and also place slow-release fertilizer on the soil from spring to autumn.
Aphids can occur.
