Aeonium

Origin

Aeonium is a rosette-forming genus of the Crassulaceae family. The genus includes approximately 40 species. They are originally found mainly on the Canary Islands. The genus name comes from Greek and means "long-lived". The genus received this name because it is particularly well-suited to surviving dry periods.

Appearance

In some species, the rosettes sit on long, woody stems; other species have such short stems that they appear stemless. There are also differences in the number of stems. Some species grow with only one stem, others have several. The leaves of Aeonium are thick, green, and in some species also reddish or very dark and almost black. They have their own slightly sweet scent. The flowering period is approximately from April to August. A panicle up to 30 cm long then forms from the center of the rosette, on which the small golden-yellow flowers sit. Aeonium are monocarpic, meaning the flowering rosette dies after flowering. Often, however, it is only the oldest shoots of the shrub.

Care

Location:A sunny location with plenty of light should be chosen. The leaves change shape if they don't get enough sunlight, which is why a spot by a south-facing window with direct sunlight is best.
Substrate:A mixture of cactus and succulent soil and mineral components is suitable as a substrate. When choosing the substrate, ensure it is loose and well-draining.
Irrigation:Aeonium should be watered less rather than more. The substrate should dry out completely between waterings. Excess water should drain well to prevent waterlogging.
Fertilizer:The succulents can be fertilized with cactus and succulent fertilizer approximately every two to three weeks. However, this is only necessary during the growing season in the warmer months.
Summer/Winter:In summer, the succulent can be placed outdoors in a sheltered spot, after gradually acclimating it to direct sunlight. However, it should be brought back indoors when temperatures drop below 10°C. Aeonium are so-called winter growers, which fall into a kind of dormancy in the summer heat. They should then be watered sparingly. A temperature of around 15°C is ideal in winter. Watering should be adjusted to the available light.

Popular species

Aeonium haworthii 'Dream Color':This succulent is a hybrid and is also often called Aeonium haworthii 'Kiwi'. It has green leaves with reddish edges, arranged in a rosette. It produces yellow flowers during its flowering period.
Aeonium arboreum:This stem-forming succulent has brownish-green and dark red leaves, which are also arranged in a rosette shape. They form tall, long stems. During the flowering period from January to February, it also produces yellow flowers.

Note:Aeonium is generally non-toxic, but we cannot guarantee its compatibility with animals.