Stephen Albert
Aeonium is a rosette-forming succulent. Some Aeonium have leafy rosettes at the base; some have rosettes that sit atop sturdy stems. The leaves can be green, pink, deep red-black, and some have yellow edges or variegation. Aeonium can grow from a few inches tall to as tall as 4 feet.
Aeonium can bear brightly colored star-shaped flowers –yellow, red, white, or pink. Flowers may appear in spring, in winter, or in early summer.
Mid-summer is a rest period time for Aeonium. Water and fertilize Aeonium regularly during the growth time, but not during the growth pause in midsummer.
Aeonium is a genus of about 38 species. Aeonium is native to North Africa and the Canary Islands.
Get to know Aeonium
- Plant type: Succulent in the Crassula Family
- Hardiness temperature: 30℉ (-1.1℃); some shed their leaves in midsummer or midwinter.
- Optimal growing temperature: day, 45° to 60°F (7° to 16°C); night, 10° to 15° cooler.
- Shape and size: Rosette-forming; some form a clustering base; some sit atop a sturdy stem leaves can be green, pink, red-black or with a yellow variegation;
- Flowers: Brightly colored flowers—yellow, red, white, or pink
- Bloom time: Spring, some in winter, some in early summer
- Common name: Stonecrops
- Genus name: Aeonium
- Family name: Crassulaceae
- Origin: North Africa, Canary Islands
Planting Aeonium
- Plant Aeonium in bright light or partial shade outdoors.
- Indoors grow Aeonium in bright light, no direct sun, from southern, southeastern or eastern exposure. Fresh air circulation is important.
- Grow Aeonium in a porous, sandy loam that is well drained.
- Grow Aeonium in pots that are too large, rather than too small.
How to water and feed Aeonium
- Keep Aeonium well-watered during growth, but not during the growth pause in midsummer.
- In spring and summer, let the soil dry between thorough waterings. Overwatering causes plant to rot.
- Aeonium prefers humidity of10% to 20%.
- Feed Aeonium every 6 weeks, during spring and summer growing period, with low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer.
Aeonium care
- Grow Aeonium in a snug pot promotes top growth and reduces the chance of root rot.
- Aeonium dies after blooming, so a new plant must be grown each year. Use leaf cuttings or seeds. Allow cuttings to dry for 24 hours, place the cutting in peat and sand mixture then set in a warm location.
- Aeonium rests from fall to early spring. Place Aeonium in a cool, bright location where it receives 5 hours of sunlight daily. Decrease water and withhold fertilizer.
Growing Aeonium as a houseplant
- Aeonium arboreum is a treelike form that grows to 3 feet tall. It is often grown as a houseplant.
- Giveaeonium direct light, low humidity, and a cool temperature in winter.
- Let the soil dry to the touch between waterings.
- Fertilize once every six weeks in spring and summer.
Aeonium pests and diseases
- Check Aeonium for aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, scale. Be alert for fungus disease.
Aeonium propagation
- Propagate Aeonium from seed or stem cuttings, plant in a cactus mix.
Aeonium species to grow
- Aeonium arboreum. Grows to 36 inches (91 cm) tall; rosettes are flattened, bright green; golden yellow, 8-inch flowers appear top erect stems. The most common variety. A. a. ‘Atropurpureum,’ has purplish leaves; ‘Zwartkop’ has black leaves.
- A. canariense (velvet rose, canary island aeonium). Rosettes reach 2 feet wide, covered with smooth white hairs; bears yellow flowers.
- A. decorum. Grows to 30 inches (76 cm) tall; coppery red leaves and white flowers with dark pink markings.
- A. floribunda. Lemon yellow blooms in summer.
- A. haworthii (pinwheel). Shrubby growth 2 feet high; blue green leaves are often tinged with red at edges; creamy-colored, spring flowers.
- A. mobile. Grows to 24 inches (61 cm) tall; scarlet blooms and olive green leaves.
- A. tabuliforme. Grows to 20 inches (51 cm) tall; yellow blooms and a rosette of small green leaves.
- A. undulatum (saucer plant, dinner plate). Dark, glossy leaves on single stems; yellow blooms.
