Succulents are very much on trend, and Aeoniums are among the popular succulents grown as houseplants in the UK and other temperate regions.
Aeoniums are subtropical succulents that can be incredibly easy to grow, making them a good choice for those looking for a relatively low-maintenance houseplant.
These plants look great when placed alone in pride of place, and can also look good in combination with other succulents and cacti which like similar conditions, such as Crassula, Kalanchoe and Echeveria.
For this guide we’ve collaborated with Rosie Prosser, who helps run Corseside Nursery in Pembrokeshire, an online succulent retailer.
“Aeoniums are extremely diverse in their size, colour and growth habit and we find them very easy to care for”, Rosie shares.
“You can find Aeoniums in every colour of the rainbow and the genus features both dwarf and large varieties.
“They also grow fast and produce the most wonderful flowers. What’s not to love about that!”.
These plants can vary significantly in height, from a few centimetres up to 1m or so in height.
These plants have rosettes of glossy leaves, which often come in interesting shades of green or deep purple, with white, yellow and red variegation.
They are monocarpic, or in other words, they die after they flower, but with branching varieties, it is only the rosette that produced the flower that will die, and the rest of the plant can live on.
Exploring the Different Stages of Aeonium Plant Growth
Aeoniums are increasingly popular succulent plants that are prized for their striking rosette shapes and brilliant colors. As more gardeners add these beauties to their collections, it’s helpful to understand the life cycle and growth habits of aeoniums. Join me as we explore the fascinating journey from aeonium seed to mature plant.
Sowing Aeonium Seeds
An aeonium’s life begins as a tiny, teardrop-shaped seed. Though some species produce seeds asexually through a process called apomixis, most aeoniums are pollinated by insects. Once mature, the seeds can be collected and sown indoors or directly outdoors. I prefer starting aeoniums indoors where conditions are more controlled. Aeonium seeds need warmth and moisture to germinate. I sow my seeds in seed starting mix and place the pots on heat mats set to 70-75°F. I keep the soil moist but not saturated. Germination usually occurs within 1-3 weeks.
Seedling Stage
Once the seed germinates the baby aeonium enters the seedling stage. At first, you’ll just see one or two stubby little leaves. Don’t despair this little sprout will soon take off! Keep the seedling warm, and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. When the plant has developed its first true leaves, it’s ready to be transplanted into a small pot. Use a well-draining potting mix amended with extra perlite or pumice. Give the seedling plenty of bright, indirect light.
Juvenile Phase
The juvenile phase begins when the plant has established itself in its new container. This stage is marked by rapid growth as the aeonium puts on new leaves. The leaves will be thicker and more succulent compared to the early seedling leaves. You may notice color changes during this phase as well, depending on the variety. Some aeoniums produce red or purple pigments in response to sunlight. Keep soil on the dry side, allowing it to thoroughly dry between waterings. Transition the plant to full sun exposure gradually to prevent scorching.
Mature Growth
An aeonium enters the mature growth phase once it achieves its full size and begins flowering. Flowering indicates that the rosette is mature. Aeoniums flower in late winter through early spring, sending up long stalks topped with dainty white or yellow blooms. After flowering, the mother rosette will slowly die back. However, most mature aeoniums have already produced offsets which will continue growing. As the mother plant declines, the offsets take over active growth.
Offsets & Propagation
Offsets are small plantlets produced at the base of the mother rosette. They can be separated and repotted once they have developed some roots. This allows you to propagate your favorite aeonium varieties. You can also propagate from stem cuttings. I take 3-5 inch tip cuttings in spring or summer. After allowing the cut end to callous over, I stick the cuttings in pots filled with well-draining soil. They root readily within a few weeks.
Going Dormant
Aeoniums originate from regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. To survive harsh, arid conditions, they’ve adapted to go dormant during periods of drought or extreme heat. When dormant, the outer leaves shrivel and fall away. The plant draws inward, protecting the center. Don’t panic if your aeonium starts losing leaves and goes into hibernation mode. Reduce watering, keeping the soil barely moist. Dormancy is the plant’s survival mechanism. New growth will resume when conditions improve.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Now that we’ve covered the various life stages, let’s discuss the optimal conditions for raising vigorous aeoniums. Although requirements vary slightly among species, most aeoniums thrive with the following care:
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Full sun to partial shade
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Well-draining soil mix
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Allow soil to dry between waterings
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Average room temperature 65-75°F
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Reduce water and temperature during dormancy
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Transition plants slowly to avoid shock
By understanding the growth habits and seasons of aeoniums, we can provide conditions that maximize health and encourage plentiful blooms. Watching these succulents progress through their life stages is one of the joys of growing aeoniums.
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Where To Grow
Aeoniums thrive in bright and dry conditions.
If they are grown indoors then it is important to give them a light and sunny spot.
Place them on a sunny south or west-facing windowsill.
While many houseplants will not appreciate direct sunlight, Aeonium doesn’t mind it and will appreciate a spot that is as sunny and light as possible.
They can cope with low temperatures, though not frosts, and should not be exposed to temperatures below 5°C.
“You will find very respectable collections of Aeonium in public and botanic gardens across the UK,” recommends qualified Horticulturist Dan Ori.
“For those living in or travelling to Scotland, I can highly recommend a visit Inverewe – the National Trust For Scotland Aeonium collection.”
In certain parts of the UK, Aeoniums can be grown outdoors over the summer months.
They will thrive in a very well-drained location, either in free-draining soil or in a gravel garden.
These succulents can be a good choice in xeriscaping for dry areas where rainfall is low.
In wetter regions of the UK, they may be better grown in containers, placed outside only in the rain shadow of a wall or fence where they still get plenty of sun, but are somewhat protected from excessive rainfall.
In terms of exposure, Aeoniums are unfussy.
They can cope with a windy location because their foliage is tough enough to withstand winds.
This means that they can be a good choice for a coastal garden.
Creating suitably free-draining conditions is the most important thing, whether growing in containers or in the ground.
A lack of good drainage will cause issues for the plant and when the growing medium cannot dry out between waterings, the roots and stem may rot.
If you are planting Aeonium in a container, choose a container which is porous, and which has good drainage to allow excess water to drain away.
These and other succulents thrive in terracotta pots, which are permeable and allow the soil to dry out more between waterings.
Of course, the pot you select should have a drainage hole at the base.
A layer of crock, gravel or grit should also be added at the base of the pot to further aid in drainage.
The container you choose for an Aeonium should be the same size as, or only very slightly bigger than the rootball of the plant you are planting.
A larger pot will be more likely to become waterlogged since the roots will not permeate all the potting mix within it.
To ensure adequate drainage, Rosie explains that the potting mix that you select is also very important:
“A good free-draining pot and soil can also support good water management. It is important to make sure the water can drain away easily from the roots of the plants.
“This can be achieved by mixing larger particles into your normal soil, such as grit, crushed eggshells or perlite”.
Alternatively, you can look to mix 60% peat-free multipurpose compost with 40% horticultural grit or sand.
Once you have placed your Aeonium within this growing medium, sprinkle a 1cm layer of horticultural grit on top.
This will further help to ensure that the stem does not rot.
If planting outdoors in free-draining soil, a similar layer of grit or gravel on the surface of the soil can also be beneficial.
When moving pots with flat-topped Aeonium types outdoors, it is a good idea to place the pots at an angle so that any excess rainwater can drain off more easily.
Why Grow Aeonium?
Aeoniums are, as mentioned above, very easy to grow and in fact, thrive on neglect.
So even if you are not the most green-fingered of gardeners, you should find it relatively easy to keep Aeonium alive.
“I’ve getting into aeoniums at the moment,” shares Garden Broadcaster Martin Fish.
“I’ve always grown them but I’ve got a little collection going now and it’s great!”
These are attractive houseplants, which can look great in mixed succulent displays, or be kept as individual potted plants in your home.
Though they are subtropical, Aeoniums can cope well with indoor conditions.
They are varied plants which can add immense visual interest and, like other houseplants, improve your living environment.
At Corseside Nursery, Rosie and her team have grown their own hybrid, aptly named the ‘Pembrokeshire Promise’, which is available to buy from their store.
Many other Aeoniums cultivars have received an RHS Award of Garden Merit, so when choosing which Aeonium to grow, these options can be a good place to start.
AGM Aeoniums to consider are:
However, these varieties are just the beginning and there are plenty of other amazing cultivars to choose from.
There are some lovely compact hybrid forms with unusual variations in colour and form to explore, including some, such as ‘Medusa’, ‘Meiya’ and ‘Superbang’, with deep red and vibrant crimson foliage hues.
Start exploring the many cultivars and hybrids on offer and you may quickly need to find more space to house your ever-expanding succulent collection.
Grow succulents faster with these 3 techniques! Aeonium propagation that works for all succulents
FAQ
What is the growth pattern of Aeonium?
How long does it take to grow Aeonium plant?
Are aeoniums easy to grow?
Aeonium haworthii ‘Tricolor’ or ‘Kiwi’: An easy growing 2- to 3-foot plant, it has 4-inch flowers that have pale yellow centers when young, maturing to red and green. Propagating aeonium results in a number of plants from just one cutting because of the way the plant branches, so it’s a good way to multiply your collection.
Can aeoniums be propagated from cuttings?
Propagating aeonium results in a number of plants from just one cutting because of the way the plant branches, so it’s a good way to multiply your collection. Like many succulents, aeoniums are very easy to propagate from cuttings —even stem pieces that fall off the plant may readily take root in the surrounding soil.
When should aeoniums be propagated?
Propagating aeoniums should be done in the spring when the plant is in the thick of its growing season. Here’s how to propagate aeonium from cuttings: Using a very sharp, clean cutting tool, cut off a younger stem piece containing a leaf rosette.
Do aeoniums grow in clusters?
Small, star-like flowers grow in clusters from the center of the rosettes, but they are not particularly showy. Aeoniums can be planted in the garden or indoors at any time. These are rather slow-growing plants and may take as many as five years before they produce the little bunches of flowers from the center of the rosettes.