Curio talinoides, commonly known as Blue Chalksticks, is an evergreen succulent hailing from the rocky outcrops and slopes of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. It is renowned for its striking blue-green foliage and typically reaches a height of 50 to 70 cm with a spread of 30 to 40 cm. The leaves are 4.5-9.5 cm long, thickly fleshed, alternately arranged, linear, upright, sickle-shaped, and taper to a point at both ends. They are distinct from Curio repens in being more elongated and narrow, with a rounded-cylindrical cross-section. In spring, Blue Chalksticks produces small, white, daisy-like flowers that add a subtle charm to its overall appearance, though it is primarily grown for its foliage.

Blue Chalksticks is valued for its drought tolerance and striking leaf color, making it a popular choice for rock gardens, succulent gardens, and as a ground cover in xeriscaping. It is also suitable for container planting, where its unique texture and color can be showcased. This succulent requires minimal maintenance, thriving in full sun to part shade and demanding very little water once established. It prefers well-draining soil and is tolerant of poor soils, although it benefits from occasional fertilization during the growing season. While generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to mealybugs and root rot if overwatered.CC BY-SA 4.0