Aeonium species impress with their special growth habit. Their leaves arise at the top of the shoot and are pressed together in a plate shape, giving the plants a bizarre appearance. In their original distribution area, succulents have adapted to certain conditions.
What is Aeonium and how to care for it?
Aeonium is a genus of succulents that is primarily native to the Canary Islands. The plants are characterized by leaves arranged in a plate shape at the top of the shoot and require a bright, partially shaded location. Aeonium species can be cultivated as ornamental plants in pots or winter gardens and are not poisonous.
Origin
Aeonium describes a genus within the thick-leaf family. The 40 species are mainly found in the Canary Islands. Two representatives within the genus grow on Madeira, while the species Aeonium gorgoneum is native to Cape Verde. Further areas are located in the southwest of Morocco and in the East African Semien Mountains.
Of these species, Aeonium arboreum, which has the German name Rosetten-Dickblatt, is preferably cultivated as an ornamental plant. This species is native to the Canary Islands, where it occurs at altitudes between 200 and 1,500 meters.
Growth
Aeonium arboreum grows as a subshrub that develops branches as it ages. Its growth is reminiscent of the shape of a tree. While the succulents grow up to two meters high in nature, in cultivation they reach heights of up to 100 centimeters. The shoot axes depend on the position of the sun. This creates ascending and winding growth forms. They are one to three centimeters thick in diameter and have a smooth surface that is not patterned like a net.
leaves
Typical for thick-leaved plants are fleshy, thickened leaves, which in Aeonium arboreum appear in rosettes at the end of the shoot. The leaf rosettes reach a diameter of between ten and 25 centimeters. Fresh leaves emerge in the center of the rosette and are initially pressed tightly together.
The spatula-shaped leaves, which have light hairs on the edges, grow between five and 15 centimeters long. They are green in color and have a shiny leaf surface. Some varieties develop purple or variegated foliage. Red-leaved varieties lose their leaf color in shady locations. If there is a lack of light in winter, they can turn completely green.
Bloom
Between spring and summer, rosette leaves develop cone-shaped inflorescences that arise in the middle of the leaf rosette and grow to a height of between 20 and 30 centimeters. The inflorescences contain numerous small flowers whose petals are golden yellow. The individual flowers follow a nine- to eleven-fold structure. During the flowering period, the plants draw the energy present in the leaves and invest it in the growth of the inflorescence. The leaf rosette wilts over time.
Usage
Aeonium species are primarily grown as foliage plants. With their picturesque growth and striking flower spikes, they are ideal for creating pot gardens. They decorate interiors or winter gardens where they can be cultivated all year round. During the summer months from the beginning of May to October at the latest, the plants decorate potted arrangements on balconies or terraces.
Is Aeonium poisonous?
There is no evidence of toxic ingredients. You can safely use the plants to decorate children's rooms and there is no risk of poisoning for pets either. In some countries the leaves are used medicinally or in small quantities in salads.
Which location is suitable?
The rosette thick leaf prefers a place with bright conditions all year round where there is no direct sunlight. The ideal location is in a partially shaded greenhouse or on a windowsill facing west or east. Here the plants are protected from the direct midday sun. If there is a lack of light, the leaves deform. They grow unnaturally long. The winter garden is also a suitable place for growth. The plants need room temperature. Between May and October, Aeonium arboreum enjoys an outdoor space.
What soil does the plant need?
The thick-leaved plants prefer a sandy substrate with small amounts of clay or loam. They grow in moderately dry to slightly moist conditions. A well-drained soil promotes growth. Aeonium arboreum thrives in neutral substrates that are low in humus and therefore provide moderate nutrients. A pH value of 6.5 is ideal.
The perfect mix:
- 60 percent cactus soil
- ten percent clay
- 30 percent mineral components
Cuttings
If your rosette thick leaf has formed branches, you can cut these off and propagate them as top cuttings. The mother plant should retain at least one rosette of leaves so that it can continue to grow. Cut off a three to four centimeter long shoot at the beginning of the growing season. Allow the interface to dry for about three days before placing the cuttings in growing substrate.
Place the planter in a bright location out of direct sun. Keep the substrate evenly moist. It takes between three and four weeks for the cuttings to develop roots. After six weeks you can repot the young plants.
Sowing
Plants without branches can only be propagated by seeds. The seeds are scattered on a well-drained and nutrient-poor substrate consisting of cactus soil and sand. The seeds require a lot of light and should therefore not be covered with soil. Cover the seed tray with a transparent container so that the soil does not dry out. At the same time, the humidity remains constant. At temperatures between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius, the seeds begin to germinate after two to three weeks.
Aeonium in pot
Aeonium arboreum is cultivated in a pot because the plant is not suitable for outdoor use. Use a clay pot as it is stable and gives the top-heavy plants enough stability. Lighter pots can be weighted down with stones that you spread over the substrate. In contrast to plastic, clay regulates the moisture content in the substrate because the water can escape through the pores to the outside. A drain hole at the bottom is important. During the summer months you can lower the pot into a suitable location in the garden.
Balcony
The rosette thick leaf tolerates a location on the balcony, as long as it offers wind and sun protection. Green-leaved varieties react sensitively to sudden changes in location. They need to be acclimated to brighter lighting conditions slowly as their leaves burn quickly. Thick-leaved varieties with red leaves tolerate direct sunlight better. As a precaution, you should not place these plants directly from the partially shaded windowsill into the direct midday sun.
Greenhouse
The conditions here are optimal in terms of temperature and humidity. Make sure the greenhouse is not exposed to direct sun. Frosted glass can help as it provides diffused light. During the summer months the greenhouse should be adequately ventilated. A change of location occurs in autumn when the temperature in the greenhouse drops below ten degrees Celsius during the winter months.
Watering Aeonium
The succulent plants have a moderate water requirement. The root ball prefers a slightly moist substrate. Water the plant when the soil has dried to a depth of two centimeters. Use rainwater or stale tap water. If you forget to water, the thick leaf will forgive you. Waterlogging causes roots to rot. During the dormant phase in winter, the amount of watering is reduced to a minimum so that the substrate does not dry out completely.
Humidity:
- water less in rooms with high humidity
- Plants tolerate low humidity
- When the air is dry, you need to water more often
Fertilize Aeonium properly
The nutrient requirements of plants are low. Aeonium arboreum does not need to be fertilized in the first year. When the growth phase begins in the spring of the second year, the succulents enjoy a low supply of nutrients. Give the plant a low concentration of cactus fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) every four weeks. Fertilization stops in September. Newly repotted plants do not need to be fertilized in the same year.
Cut Aeonium correctly
As succulents get older, they branch out more and more. They grow both in height and width, making them too large for the windowsill. He althy plants tolerate cutting measures without any problems. Remove annoying secondary shoots. They can be used for rejuvenation. If the plant develops flower spikes, these do not need to be removed immediately after flowering. The plant develops adventitious buds on the shoots, which sprout again.
How do I transplant correctly?
It takes three to four years for the plant to completely root through the substrate. You can use the width of the plant as a guide. If the secondary shoots protrude beyond the edge of the pot, repotting is recommended. If you water the plant regularly with tap water, limescale can build up in the substrate. Give the plant fresh substrate every one to two years so that it doesn't become too chalky.
Wintering
From mid-October, the rosette thick leaf needs a rest period. Place the plant in a bright overwintering area where the temperature does not fall below ten degrees Celsius. Care will be limited during this time. Since the plants do not shed their leaves, they need moisture even in winter.read more
Lice
When the air is very dry, Aeonium species are occasionally attacked by lice. The pests draw plant juices from the leaf veins and cause unsightly discoloration on the leaves. In winter, plants are more susceptible to pest infestation.
mealybugs
The pests secrete a white secretion, which covers the body like a protective fluff. Since an infestation can lead to growth disorders, the lice should be combated actively or indirectly. Preparations containing neem oil have proven to be effective foliar spraying agents. Insecticide sticks are inserted into the soil.
Aphids
The rapidly multiplying pests should be hosed down with a jet of water. To combat the eggs, decoctions of nettle or garlic can be sprayed on the leaves.
Tip
The rosette thick leaf looks particularly attractive between rock navelwort and white sedum. This planting arrangement is reminiscent of the dry rocky deserts of the Canary Islands.
Varieties
- Atropurpureum: Maroon leaves. Blooms in August. Up to 100 cm high.
- Zwartkop: Dark purple to black leaves. Blooms in May. Growth height up to 100 cm.
- Luteovariegatum: Leaves green with yellow stripes. Blossoms in summer. Up to 50 cm high.