The thick-leaf family includes many different plant species, including Aeonium and Bryophyllum (brood leaf). These are succulents that store water in their leaves and can therefore survive excellently even in dry areas.
How do you properly care for thick-leaf plants?
Caring for thick-leaved plants includes moderate watering during the growth phase, sparing watering in winter, a warm and bright location and a cool winter rest. Protect the plants from temperatures below 10 °C and only fertilize them in the warm months.
The right location for thick-leaf plants
A location with a lot of light promotes beautiful leaf patterns on the thick leaves and strong growth. Dry heating air has little effect on these plants, but wind and weather damage them quite quickly. If the summer is warm and dry, then your fat leaf is welcome to spend this time in the garden or on the balcony.
Since it is not hardy, put your thick-leaf plant back in the apartment in good time in the fall. However, you shouldn't spend the winter in the heated living room. A cool winter rest at around 12 °C contributes to vigorous growth and flower formation.
Water and fertilize thick-leaf plants correctly
No matter what type of thick-leaf plant you have chosen, it should only be watered moderately in summer and very little in winter. For some species, it has proven useful to water the thick leaf abundantly, allow excess water to drain off thoroughly and then only water again when the soil is slightly dry.
Waterlogging is not tolerated by any type of thick-leaved plant, so you should definitely use a very permeable substrate or succulent soil (€12.00 on Amazon). A mixture of normal potting soil and sand or granules is also suitable. Your thick-leaf plant only needs fertilizer during the warm months.
Propagate thick-leaf plants
The propagation of thickleaf is possible in various ways. For example, you can propagate a rosette thick leaf (Aeonium arboreum) using head or leaf cuttings. On the other hand, the brood leaf, which is considered non-toxic, reproduces entirely on its own, namely through tiny daughter plants on its leaves.
The most important care tips in brief:
- water moderately during the growing phase
- water very sparingly in winter
- choose a warm and, above all, bright location
- Provide the opportunity for a cool winter rest
- Avoid temperatures below 10 °C
Tip
Most thick-leaved plants can spend the warm season in the garden. In this case, however, you protect the plants well from wind and rain.
