The Aeonium

The Aeonium is a shrubby plant with branched or unbranched stems, found in North Africa and the Canary Islands, among other places. It is a winter species (i.e. dormant in summer and growing in winter) with a dormant habit during the hot summer months. There are about 40 species in the Aeonium, most of which are the main types in the Sedum family and are the most common succulent flowers at present.

1. Introduction

Succulent plants of the Aeonium are shrubby, with branched or unbranched stems. The fleshy leaves are arranged at the top of the stem in the shape of a lotus base. The racemes, the rosette-like leaf discs die after flowering, but adventitious buds grow on the flower stalks.

2. Shape characteristics

The Aeonium is a perennial herb, subshrub or shrub. The leaves are mostly thin and fleshy, starting in a rosette arrangement at the top of the stem. The cymes are terminal and the flowers are mostly stellate, some species die after flowering and fruiting. The flowering season is mostly spring and summer. Planting is not too difficult, the soil should be loose, well-drained and rich in minerals, but does not tolerate low temperatures, its critical temperature is 7 ℃ ~ 10 ℃. Propagation can be done by seeds, stem and leaf cuttings. 

3. Distribution

The whole genus has about 40 species, mainly distributed in Canary Islands and African continent.

4. Main characteristics

The leaves wither from the bottom to the top, only the upper leaves. There is a wide variety of leaf colors and patterns, and the pattern formed on the stems after the leaves have withered is also very stylish. There are both large and small plants, and the variety of species is also one of its characteristics. The flowering branches and stems will wither after the flowers are gone.

5. Cultivation focus

The Aeonium is a winter type of succulent plant, with a dormant habit in the summer heat season. Management should pay attention to good ventilation and control watering in summer. It should be cultivated with loose, airy, well-drained soil. Propagation can be done during the growing season by cutting fleshy stem cuttings, while leaf cuttings are difficult to succeed, or by sowing. 

In high summer, the plant will go dormant without watering in a well-ventilated shady place, and the leaves will wither during the dormant period. Spring and autumn are the growth periods, during which it will feel like it is growing rapidly. During the growth period, the plant needs a lot of sunlight and can be placed outdoors to avoid lack of light.

6. Care tips

The care of lotus palm plants is extremely easy. First of all, it is most important to have plenty of light, and it can even be kept in the open air in summer. But be careful with watering, otherwise the leaves will fall off. Usually water only after the soil is completely dry. A sandy, nutrient-rich soil is preferable. If the environment is too dark, the color of light green plants will turn lighter, while light yellow plants will fade to green completely. In winter, the Aeonium needs to be kept dry and at a low temperature of at least 10°C.

7. Plant representative

Aeonium Ouruola variegated Succulents

Aeonium arboreum 'Fiesta'variegated Succulents

Aeonium Green rose variegated Succulents

Aeonium Milky Way variegated Succulents

Aeonium Salad bowl variegated Succulents