Scientific Name
Aeonium ciliatum (Willd.) Webb & Berthel.
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum ciliatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Description
Aeonium ciliatum is a succulent subshrub with apical rosettes of dark green, spathulate leaves with weakly ciliated, often reddish margins. It grows up to 28 inches (70 cm) tall. The main stem and side branches are rough with prominent leaf scars. The main stem is up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. Branches are up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter. The rosette on the main stem is up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter, while the rosettes on the branches are up to 4 inches (10 cm). Leaves are up to 4.4 inches (11 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide.
The whitish-green flowers appear in a lax dome-shaped inflorescence in early summer. The inflorescence is 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 growing, but their true growth season is winter to spring when temperatures are cool, 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C), and damp. In the winter, water whenever the soil 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 better than a mix specifically for cacti and succulents since Aeoniums need 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.
Origin
Aeonium ciliatum is native to the Canary Islands (Tenerife).
Links
- Back to genus Aeonium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
