Scientific Name
Aeonium ciliatum (Willd.) Webb & Berthel.
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum ciliatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Etymology
The specific epithet "ciliatum" (pronounced "sil-ee-ATE-um") means "having cilia" and refers to the ciliated leaves of this species.
Origin
Aeonium ciliatum is native to the Canary Islands (Tenerife).
Description
Aeonium ciliatum is a succulent subshrub with apical rosettes of dark green, spoon-shaped leaves with often reddish margins fringed with broad-based cilia. It can grow up to 28 inches (70 cm) tall. The main stem and side branches are rough with prominent leaf scars. The main stem can reach a diameter of 1.2 inches (3 cm), while the branches can reach up to 0.4 inches (1 cm). The rosette on the main stem can reach a diameter of 8 inches (20 cm), while the rosettes on the branches can reach up to 4 inches (10 cm). The leaves can measure up to 4.4 inches (11 cm) in length and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in width.
The whitish-green flowers appear in a lax, dome-shaped inflorescence in early summer. The inflorescence can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and 6.4 inches (16 cm) wide.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).
How to Grow and Care
Aeoniums do not like hot or dry weather. In summer, they may go dormant 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 into the soil an inch or 2 (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 during the growing season with a half-strength balanced fertilizer every month or so. Do not feed while 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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