Scientific Name
Aeonium 'Cyclops'
Common Name(s)
Giant Red Aeonium
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Origin
This succulent is a hybrid created by the southern California horticulturist Jack Catlin as a result of a cross between Aeonium undulatum with Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'. It is a sibling of Aeonium 'Voodoo'.
Description
Aeonium 'Cyclops' is a beautiful branched succulent that forms large rosettes of dark reddish-bronze to dark purplish leaves at the end of the branches. It grows up to 4 feet (1.2 m) tall. Rosettes are up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The leaves emerge green, giving the rosettes a "green eye."
Mature rosettes produce a flower stalk with a large conical cluster of yellow star-shaped flowers at the end of the stem from late winter through early spring.
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 down 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.
See 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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