How to Grow Aeonium | aeonium arboreum growing from cuttings

How to Grow Aeonium | aeonium arboreum growing from cuttings

Aeonium Arboreum Plant

As a succulent subtropical subshrub in the Crassulaceae family, Aeonium arboreum is also known as the tree aeonium, tree houseleek, or Irish rose. About 35 species of succulent plants are found in the genus Aeonium, characterized by shiny, waxy leaves arranged in a rosette fashion. 

Originally a less-branched shrub, Aeonium arboreum reaches a height of 2 meters. More or less upright or ascending stems have smooth, net-like patterned axes with a diameter of 1 to 3 centimeters. Their leaves grow in flattened rosettes with diameters of between 10 and 25 centimeters at the ends of their stem axes. 

These species are sometimes mistaken for artificial plants due to the perfectly rounded leaves of their rosette structures. White, yellow, red, and green rosettes can be a solid color or variegated. In the center of the rosettes, tiny, star-shaped flowers grow in clusters, but they are not particularly showy.

Aeonium plants

Overview of Aeonium Arboreum Plant

Scientific name                Aeonium spp

Common name                Saucer plant, Aeonium

Plant type                        Succulent

Sun requires                    Full sun to partial shade

Soil                                   Well-drained sandy loam soil

Soil pH                             5.6–6.0

Zone                                 9-11

How to Grow and Care Aeonium Arboreum Plant

You can plant aeoniums in the garden at any time. These plants grow slowly, and it could take as long as five years before they produce flowers from the centers of their rosettes. Usually, aeoniums are monocarpic, which means the mother plant dies after flowering, but the pups (shoots) continue to grow.

Growing from cuttings

Cut aeoniums in the spring to propagate them from cuttings, as is the case with many succulents. Roots can readily take hold in the surrounding soil even if the stems fall off the plant. You should cut the young stem piece containing the leaf rosette off using a very sharp, clean-cutting tool. For about three days, place the cutting side down in a dry, warm, and shady spot until the cut ends have healed. It is important to have a callous on the cutting so that it prevents root rot once it has been planted.

 Fill a small pot with drainage holes with a mix of half-regular potting soil and half-succulent or cactus potting mix. Using the potting mix, poke the severed, calloused end into it just deep enough so it can stand upright. Make sure it receives bright, indirect sunlight, and water it lightly every week. Before you water your plant, allow it to dry out in the top two inches of soil once it has developed strong roots. If necessary, you can repot it into a larger container.

aeonium arboreum

Sunlight

It is ideal that the plant receives five to six hours of bright sunlight per day. Similarly to most succulents, aeoniums need full sun to partial shade to thrive. The brightest window in your home is the best place for your Aeonium arboreum plants if you keep them inside. In highly humid climates or deserts, light shading may be needed.

Soil

It is better to use a sandy loam or regular potting mix amended with perlite rather than one created specifically for succulents or cacti, since aeoniums require moisture. The drainage will be enhanced if the soil contains materials such as perlite, sand, and other minerals in at least 50 percent. A higher mineral content will enhance drainage. 

Watering

The top layer of soil of your aeoniums should only be watered when it feels quite dry. They usually need watering about once a week. It is best to reduce the amount of water in the summer when they are dormant. A monthly watering should be sufficient during the summer. They prefer less water than most succulents, but a lot of moisture or soil that is too wet will cause root rot.

Temperature

Aeoniums are best grown in temperatures between 40°F and 100°F (4°C and 38°C). They prefer a Mediterranean climate not too hot, not too cold, and not too dry. While they are able to survive for short periods of time in 25-degree weather, they cannot cope with long winter freezes without turning into popsicles.

Fertilizer

The best fertilizer to use on them is a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. In winter and spring, Aeonium arboreum plants grow best, so it is the best time to fertilize them. It is fine to fertilize them up to once a month during the growing season. Aeonium arboreum plants do not require fertilizer during the summer because they are dormant then.

Read also

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Aeonium | aeonium arboreum