Aeonium species convince with their special growth form. Their leaves emerge at the tip of the shoot and crowd together in a plate shape, giving the plants a bizarre appearance. In their original range, succulents have adapted to certain conditions.

Aeonium is a genus of various succulents

Table of Contents

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  1. origin
  2. growth
  3. leaves
  4. blossom
  5. use
  6. Is Aeonium poisonous?
  7. Which location is suitable?
  8. What soil does the plant need?
  9. cuttings
  10. sowing
  11. Aeonium in pot
  12. balcony
  13. Glasshouse
  14. Pour aeonium
  15. Fertilize Aeonium properly
  16. Pruning Aeonium properly
  17. How do I plant correctly?
  18. hibernate
  19. lice
  20. sorts

    21. origin

    Aeonium describes a genus within the succulent family. The 40 species are mainly found in the Canary Islands. Two members of the genus grow on Madeira, while the species Aeonium gorgoneum is native to Cape Verde. Other areas are in southwest Morocco and in the East African Semien Mountains.

    Of these species, Aeonium arboreum, which bears the German name Rosetten-Dickblatt, is preferably cultivated as an ornamental plant. This species is native to the Canary Islands, where it occurs at elevations between 200 and 1,500 meters.

    growth

    Aeonium arboreum grows as a subshrub that develops branching as it ages. Its growth is reminiscent of the shape of a tree. While the succulents grow up to two meters high in nature, they reach heights of growth of up to 100 centimeters in cultivation. The shoot axes are based 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

    Thick-leaf plants are typically characterized by fleshy, thickened leaves, which appear in rosettes at the end of the shoot in Aeonium arboreum. The leaf rosettes reach a diameter between ten and 25 centimeters. Fresh leaves appear in the center of the rosette, which are initially pressed tightly together.

    The spatulate leaves, which have light-colored hairs on the edges, grow between five and 15 centimeters long. They are green in color and have a glossy leaf surface. Some cultivars develop purple or variegated foliage. Varieties with red leaves lose their leaf color in shady locations. If there is a lack of light in winter, they can turn completely green.

    blossom

    Between spring and summer, rosette thick leaves develop cone-shaped inflorescences that arise in the middle of the leaf rosette and are between 20 and 30 centimeters high. The inflorescences contain numerous small flowers whose petals are golden yellow. The individual flowers follow a nine- to eleven-fold structure. During flowering, the plants draw energy from the leaves and invest it in the growth of the inflorescence. The leaf rosette will wither over time.

    use

    Aeonium species are primarily grown as ornamental foliage plants. With their picturesque growth and the striking panicles of flowers, they are ideal for designing 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 pot 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 amounts in salads.

    Which location is suitable?

    The rosette succulent prefers a spot with bright conditions, away from direct sunlight, all year round. 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. With a lack of light, the leaves deform. They grow unnaturally long. The conservatory 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 succulent plants prefer a sandy substrate with a small amount of clay or loam. They grow in moderately dry to slightly humid conditions. A well-drained soil favors growth. Aeonium arboreum thrives in neutral substrates that are low in humus and therefore provide moderate nutrients. A pH of 6.5 is ideal.

    The perfect mix:

    • 60 percent cactus soil
    • ten percent clay
    • 30 percent mineral components

    cuttings

    If your rosette succulent has formed branches, you can cut them off and propagate them as head cuttings. The mother plant should keep at least one rosette of leaves to continue growing. Cut off a shoot three to four centimeters long at the beginning of the growing season. Allow the interface to dry for about three days before placing the head cuttings in the growing medium.

    Place the planter in a bright location out of direct sunlight. 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 sprinkled onto a well-drained and nutrient-poor substrate consisting of cactus soil and sand. The seed needs a lot of light and should therefore not be covered with soil. Cover the seed tray with a clear container to keep the soil from drying 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 tubs because the plant is not suitable for outdoor use. Use a clay pot, as this is stable and gives the top-heavy plants enough stability. Lighter pots can be weighed down with stones spread over the substrate. In contrast to plastic, clay regulates the moisture content in the substrate because the water can escape through the pores. A drainage hole at the bottom is important. During the summer months you can sink the bucket in 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 are sensitive to sudden changes of location. They need to be acclimated to brighter light conditions slowly as their leaves will burn quickly. Thick-leaved varieties with red leaves tolerate direct sunlight better. To be on the safe side, you should not place these plants directly from the partially shaded window sill into direct midday sun.

    Glasshouse

    Optimum conditions in terms of temperature and humidity prevail here. Make sure the greenhouse is not in direct sunlight. Frosted glass can help, as it provides diffuse light. During the summer months, the greenhouse should be adequately ventilated. A change of location takes place in autumn when the temperature in the greenhouse falls below ten degrees Celsius during the winter months.

    Pour 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 centimetres. Use rainwater or stagnant tap water. If you ever forget to water, the thick sheet forgives you. Waterlogging causes the 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
    • if the air is dry, it must be watered more frequently

    Fertilize Aeonium properly

    The nutrient requirement of the plants is low. In the first year, Aeonium arboreum does not need to be fertilized. When the growth phase begins in the spring of the second year, the succulents enjoy a low nutrient supply. Give the plant a low concentration cactus fertilizer every four weeks. Fertilization is stopped in September. Freshly repotted plants do not need to be fertilized in the same year.

    Pruning Aeonium properly

    With increasing age, the succulents branch out more and more. They grow both in height and in width, so that they become too big for the windowsill. Pruning tolerates healthy plants without any problems. Remove annoying side shoots. They can be used for rejuvenation. If the plant develops flower spikes, these do not need to be removed immediately after they have faded. The plant develops adventitious buds on the shoots, which sprout again.

    How do I plant correctly?

    It takes three to four years for the plant to fully root through the substrate. You can use the width of the plant as a guide. If the side shoots protrude beyond the edge of the pot, repotting is recommended. If you water the plant regularly with tap water, limescale can accumulate in the substrate. Treat the plant to fresh substrate every one to two years so that it does not become too calcareous.

    hibernate

    From mid-October, the rosette thick leaf needs a resting phase. Place the plant in a bright winter quarters where the temperature does not fall below ten degrees Celsius. Care will be restricted during this time. Since the plants do not shed their leaves, they need moisture even in winter.
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    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, the plants are more susceptible to pest infestation.

    Mealybugs or Mealybugs

    The pests secrete a white secretion that covers the body like fluff to protect it. Since an infestation can lead to growth disorders, the lice should be fought actively or indirectly. Preparations containing neem oil have been found to be effective for misting the foliage. Insecticide sticks are stuck into the ground.

    aphids

    The rapidly multiplying pests should be hosed down with a jet of water. To combat the eggs, nettle or garlic decoctions can be sprayed on the leaves.

    tips

    The rosette succulent looks particularly attractive between rock navel herb and white stonecrop. This plant arrangement is reminiscent of the dry rocky deserts of the Canary Islands.

    sorts

    • atropurpureum: Maroon leaves. Blooms in August. Up to 100 cm high.
    • Blackhead: Dark purple to black leaves. Blooms in May. Growth height up to 100 cm.
    • luteovarietal: Leaves green with yellow stripes. flowers in summer. Up to 50 cm high.

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Vegetable garden