Grow Aeonium for their unique and striking rosettes of fleshy leaves, adding interest to containers, rock gardens, or as focal points in your landscape.
Aeoniums are fascinating evergreen succulents with charming rosettes of fleshy, pinwheel leaves.
Aeonium is a genus of succulent plants native to the Canary Islands, with a few species extending to other parts of Africa such as Morocco and East Africa. It includes about 35 species and belongs to the Crassulaceae family.
Habit and Size: Aeoniums are strikingly architectural in form, with rosettes of leaves at the branch tips resembling flowers. Depending on the species and variety, the rosettes can range in size from a few inches to over a foot in diameter. The leaves themselves can be short and round or long and slender and come in shades of green, yellow, purple, red, or a mix thereof. As the plants grow new leaves, older leaves eventually die and fall off, exposing the stem supporting the rosette.
Some Aeonium species are shrub-forming, growing up to 5 ft. tall (150 cm) and producing rosettes at the tips of their ever-lengthening stems. In contrast, other species always remain compact or ground-hugging.
Flowers: Mature rosettes produce impressive flower stalks about 8 inches (20 cm) long with conical clusters of flowers at the end of the stem. The small, star-shaped flowers may be creamy white, yellowish, golden, pink, or red, depending on the species or cultivar.
Blooming Season: These succulents typically bloom in late winter or spring.
Monocarpic: Aeoniums are monocarpic: the rosette flowers once and dies thereafter. However, it may take several years before this happens, and not all rosettes bloom simultaneously.
Hardiness: The plants do best in warm, dry climates and are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. Most cannot handle freezing temperatures or desert heat. In colder regions, they can be grown as indoor or container plants and brought indoors during winter.
Uses: Aeoniums are highly valued in ornamental horticulture for their unique form, colorful foliage, and their ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions where other plants struggle. They’re perfect for rock gardens, succulent collections, container gardens, and Mediterranean-style landscapes. They are also suitable as houseplants if exposed to very bright light.
Pollinators: Pollinators are generally not a primary consideration for growing Aeoniums, but their flowers can attract bees and other insects.
Toxicity: There are no major toxicity concerns for humans or pets, but the plants may cause minor skin irritation in some people.
Deer and Rabbit: Deer generally avoid Aeoniums, likely due to their thick, waxy leaves.
Drought Tolerance: As a succulent, it is highly drought-tolerant once established, storing water in its fleshy leaves.
Invasiveness: Aeoniums are not known to be invasive and don’t spread aggressively.
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
4 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents |
| Genus | Aeonium |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
Growing Aeonium in your garden or as a houseplant can bring several benefits:
Visual Interest: Aeoniums add a unique architectural element to gardens and indoor spaces with their striking rosette formation and wide range of leaf colors.
Drought Tolerance: As succulents, Aeoniums are highly drought-resistant, making them a great choice for low-water or xeriscape gardens, or for areas where other plants may struggle.
Easy Care: Once established, Aeoniums require minimal care. They are not usually bothered by pests or diseases, and they require only basic watering and light needs.
Container Gardening: Their compact growth habit and tolerance for drought make them excellent choices for container gardening. They can thrive in both indoor and outdoor pots, making them versatile decorative additions.
Attracts Pollinators: Though not their primary attraction, the flowers of Aeoniums can attract bees and other beneficial insects to your garden, enhancing its biodiversity.
Non-Invasive: Aeoniums are non-aggressive and won’t spread uncontrollably in your garden, making them a good choice for controlled landscapes.
In conclusion, Aeoniums are unique, low-maintenance plants that add interest and beauty to any garden or home. Their resilience and versatility make them a rewarding choice for gardeners of all experience levels.
Designing a garden with Aeoniums provides an opportunity to play with form, color, and texture, given the variety and versatility of these succulents. Here are a few ideas:
Contrast with Other Succulents: Aeoniums, with their rosette shape, work beautifully in a succulent garden where their form can contrast with more spiky, cascading, or mound-forming succulents such as agave, sedum, or echeveria.
Rock Gardens: Aeoniums are a wonderful choice for rock gardens. Their architectural shape and varying colors provide a dramatic contrast to the rocks and gravel. This type of setting also provides the excellent drainage that Aeoniums need.
Container Gardens: Because of their compact growth and visual interest, Aeoniums are a fantastic choice for container gardening. They work well in mixed arrangements with other succulents or on their own in a decorative pot.
Vertical Gardens: Due to their shallow root systems, Aeoniums can thrive in vertical garden setups. This unique display method can showcase the rosettes and color variation of different Aeonium varieties.
Borders and Edges: Aeoniums’ compact and orderly growth habit makes them perfect for defining the edges of a garden bed or walkway.
Color-Themed Gardens: The range of colors available in Aeonium varieties can be used effectively in a garden with a color theme. For example, Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’ can add a touch of drama to a dark or black-themed garden.
Remember, while designing, ensure to provide Aeoniums with well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
Aeoniums are quite versatile and can pair well with many different types of plants. When choosing companion plants, consider those with similar sun and water needs. Here are some good companion plants for Aeonium:
Other Succulents: Aeoniums pair well with other succulents such as Echeveria, Sedum, or Crassula. These plants all appreciate a well-drained soil and have similar water requirements.
Grasses: Ornamental grasses, like blue fescue or sedge, can provide a nice textural contrast to the smooth, fleshy leaves of the Aeonium.
Cacti: Small cacti can also be good companions, adding an interesting contrast in texture and form.
Rock Roses (Helianthemum): These sun-loving plants work well in the same growing conditions as Aeoniums, and their bright flowers can complement the foliage of Aeoniums.
Senecio: With their diverse forms and silvery to blue-green leaves, Senecio plants offer interesting contrasts in texture and color when planted alongside Aeonium. Some species also produce striking flowers that can complement the colors in Aeonium rosettes.
Euphorbia tirucalli (Firestick Plant): This plant is known for its pencil-like stems that turn a bright, coral-red in sunny conditions. The dramatic color and form of Euphorbia tirucalli make it a striking counterpoint to the smooth, round rosettes of Aeonium.
Delosperma (Ice Plant): Ice plants can create a vibrant carpet of daisy-like flowers around the base of Aeoniums. They are also succulents and share similar care requirements, making them ideal for underplanting or filling in gaps in a succulent garden.
When planting Aeoniums with companion plants, remember to consider the mature size of the plants to ensure they all have enough room to grow without overcrowding.
Growing Aeoniums can be a rewarding experience, as these succulents add an exotic touch to your garden or indoor space. Here’s how you can grow them:
Light: Aeoniums need plenty of light, but not all species can tolerate full sun, especially in hot climates. Indoor Aeoniums should be placed near a window that receives a good amount of sunlight.
Soil: Like most succulents, Aeoniums prefer sandy, well-draining soil. You can use a succulent or cacti mix, or make your own by combining standard potting soil with coarse sand, pumice, or perlite.
Water: Water Aeoniums thoroughly, then wait until the soil completely dries out before watering again. While drought tolerant, Aeoniums require more regular watering than other succulents since they have a relatively small, shallow root system. Overwatering can cause root rot. During the dormant summer period, reduce watering to a minimum.
Temperature: Aeoniums can tolerate a range of temperatures, but they don’t like extreme heat or frost. In freezing climates, it’s best to grow them in containers that can be moved indoors during winter, just enough to keep the foliage from shriveling.
Fertilizer: Feed Aeoniums every two or three weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season (generally late winter to spring). Do not fertilize while the plant is dormant.
Pruning: As the plants grow new leaves, older leaves eventually die and fall off, exposing the stem supporting the rosette. If you do not like the look of the denuded stem, simply snap off the rosette below its lowest leaves, with 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) of stem, and replant it as cuttings. You may discard the denuded stem. This will keep the plant smaller and also delay blooming.
Propagation: Aeoniums are easily propagated from cuttings. Cut a rosette, let it dry for a few days to form a callus at the cut end, then plant it in well-draining soil.
Repotting: Aeoniums don’t need frequent repotting but may benefit from a refresh of their soil every few years. This can be done in late winter or early spring before the growing season starts.
Remember, each Aeonium species may have slightly different care requirements, so it’s a good idea to research the specific needs of your variety.
zwilling330 / 123RF Stock Photo
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
4 - 9 |
| Climate Zones | 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
| Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents |
| Genus | Aeonium |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
| Height |
1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt |
| Attracts | Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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