This article on aeonium care gives you all the background, indoor plant care tips, best varieties and trouble- shooting information you’ll need for this beautiful succulent.
The aeonium plant is a genus of around 35 succulents of strikingly beautiful plants, most of which are native to the Canary Island. The others originate from North Africa and Madeira.
Their stems are long and arching and the fleshy leaf rosettes look almost perfect. They can have one color or white, red, yellow, and green variegation.
Their appearance is definitely one of the factors that make it a stunning addition to both homes and offices. They are some times confused for another very similar succulent, echeveria.
Their popularity is definitely a result of their impressive appearance, but also of their wide palette of sizes, textures, and colours. And, they’re very easy to take care of which makes them the ideal choice for people lacking green thumbs.
Interestingly, aeonium plants can be shrubs or low growers. People also cultivate them in pots and use them as decorations for patios and decks.
However, they don’t tolerate frost so they should be taken indoors during the cooler months. They will grow the happiest when placed in areas of full sun, or areas with slight shade.
As a succulent, this plant can help you clean the air in your home or office by filtering out toxins, according to NASA study.
Being a non-toxic plant, it’s safe to place it where there are children, cats and dogs.
Interesting Fact:
The name Aeonium is inspired by the Greek word aionos which means immortal.
How to Care for Aeonium Succulents
Light
As it’s the case with most succulents, aeoniums too love being placed in an area with full sun exposure or with a bit of shade.
Slight shade is recommendable in case you live in areas with very hot summers and dessert-like conditions.
When you keep them indoors, make sure they get indirect, but bright light.
Temperature
This plant will grow happy and healthy when the temperature is between 50 and 80 degrees F.
Water & Humidity
Aeoniums are succulents which can tolerate a short-term drought; however, if you keep under watering them, their appearance will diminish.
From autumn to spring, water them when the soil starts to feel dry.
In containers, it’s best to check the soil in summer and water it when it’s an inch dry. Water them well, i.e., until you see it coming out of the holes on the bottom.
If your summer conditions are very hot, your aeonium may go dormant, in which case you can keep it almost dry.
Soil
Opt for cactus compost as part of your aeonium care regime, as they do need some degree of moisture.
If you’re growing it in garden beds, make sure you add peat moss to the soil to boost its porosity.
When you’re planting succulents, it’s always best to choose terracotta pots or clay pots as the vessels tend to dry fast and don’t contribute to water retention. Plant your aeonium in a 6 inch diameter pot
Feeding
Most aeoniums will do just fine without any fertilizer.
In fact, excessive amounts of it can weaken its growth and cause discoloration!
However, the ones grown in containers are an exception as they will quickly take all of the energy from the soil during growing season.
For these aeoniums, opt for a balanced liquid fertilizer for succulents and cactuses.
Apply it once a month from spring to autumn. Dilute to half strength.
Repotting
Aeoniums in pots don’t need yearly repotting-it will suffice to do it every 2 to 3 years.
Change the soil with fresh one and opt for a pot that’s one size bigger.
Aeonium Propagation
Like most other succulents, aeoniums are easy and fun to propagate.
You can easily do it from cuttings. And, even the stem pieces which fall of it may root in the soil around.
To share it through a cutting, trim off a piece with a leaf rosette and put it in shade. Wait for three days or so for the cut end to heal.
Then, in a pot with drainage holes and proper soil, put the cut end into it and deep enough that it stands upright. Put it in bright light and water it once per week.
When it has developed roots, repot it into bigger container and place it in a bright area.
Best Aeonium Varieties
Aeonium Kiwi or Tricolor
This variety is easy-to-grow and it can reach a height of 2 to 3 feet.
Its 4-inch flowers have interesting pale yellow centres while still young. When they mature, they transform into green and red. Pretty awesome, right?
Aeonium Zwartkop
This very popular aeonium variety has stunning dark, almost black leaves. And, it’s quite a large plant so make sure you have enough free space where you plan to keep it.
Aeonium Sunburst
This variety is quite shorter, usually between 1 to 2 feet in height.
However, don’t let its diminutive size fool you- it has impressive rosettes up to a foot across with white, green, and pale yellow stripes and cute pink tips.
Aeonium Arboreum
This popular and easy to find variety has bright green rosettes on a branching stem. It has a shrubby form and can grow as tall as 6 feet in the garden, or 3 feet in containers.
Other Aeonium Care Tips
Always choose a container which has drainage holes as standing water can lead to root rot!
Its leggy branches have a tendency to fall over and snap off the rosettes. If this happens to your aeonium, replant the broken stem.
Remember that most of the aeonium varieties are monocarpic, that is, their mother plant dies after the flowering.
If it’s produced side shoots, they will keep on living. Otherwise, the risk of the whole plant dying off is high.
This is why you should occasionally propagate it.
As they naturally grow tidy and not too big, you needn’t prune them too much. Still, make sure you’re grooming them occasionally by removing dead leaves or poorly-shaped stems.
Trouble Shooting- Common Issues
Problem: new growth seems distorted & a white substance is visible on the leaves
Cause: Mealy bugs.
Solution: Treat the plant with insecticide or opt for a more natural pest control product like neem oil.
Problem: wilting, yellowing & soft spots on the stem
Cause: Probably it’s because of overwatering which infects the root & deprives the oxygen supply.
Solution: Stop watering the plant until the soil is entirely dry and the plant seems rejuvenated. In case it’s too bad, you may need to get rid of the whole plant.
Problem: reduced growth, the leaves seem mottled ad curled
Cause: Aphids.
Solution: The best options are insecticidal soap, horticultural oil or neem oil. Follow the instructions on the package.
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