Scientific Name
Aeonium castello-paivae C. Bolle
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum castello-paivae, Aeonium gomeraeum, Aeonium paivae, Sempervivum paivae
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Etymology
The specific epithet "castello-paivae" (pronounced "kas-TEL-oh PAY-vee") honors António da Costa Paiva, Baron of Castelo de Paiva (1806-1879), a Portuguese botanist, naturalist, doctor, teacher, and nobleman.
Origin
Aeonium castello-paivae is native to the Canary Islands.
Description
Aeonium castello-paivae is a succulent plant that forms compact clumps of rosettes of green leaves with pink margins when grown in full sun. It can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and is usually about as wide as it is tall. The rosettes can reach a diameter of up to 4 inches (10 cm).
The flowers are white, star-shaped, and appear in late spring and into summer.
Cultivars of Aeonium castello-paivae
How to Grow and Care for Aeonium castello-paivae
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Aeoniums do not like hot or dry weather. Therefore, they may go dormant in summer and do not require any water except in arid conditions. In extreme heat, their leaves will curl to prevent excessive water loss. Growing them in moist shade will keep them healthy, but their true growth season is from winter to spring, when temperatures are cool, ranging from 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C), and the air is damp. In winter, water the soil whenever it has dried out. Test by poking your finger down into the soil an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm). Too much moisture or allowing them to sit in wet soil will cause root rot.
A sandy loam or regular potting mix is preferable to a mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents, as Aeoniums require some moisture. If you grow them in containers, repot them with fresh potting soil every 2 to 3 years.
Feed the plant with a half-strength balanced fertilizer every month or so during the growing season. Do not feed it while it is dormant.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Aeonium.
Links
- Back to genus Aeonium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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