How to Grow Aeonium

Sharing is caring!

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.