Scientific Name
Aeonium glutinosum (Aiton) Webb & Berthel.
Common Name(s)
Viscid Houseleek
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum glutinosum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Etymology
The specific epithet "glutinosum (pronounced gloo-tin-OH-sum)" means "gluey, glutinous, viscous" and refers to the sticky branches and inflorescence.
Origin
Aeonium glutinosum is native to the Madeira Archipelago, Portugal. It occurs mainly on the island of Madeira, rarely on Porto Santo, and the Deserta Grande at elevations to 980 feet (300 m), rarely up to 5,580 feet (1,700 m).
Description
Aeonium glutinosum is a tuft-forming or slightly shrubby succulent with smooth, sticky, decumbent or ascending branches that end in cup-shaped rosettes of pale to dull green leaves. It can grow up to 24 inches (60 cm) tall, while the rosettes can reach up to 8.8 inches (22 cm) in diameter. The leaves are fleshy, spoon-shaped, pointed at the tip, wedge-shaped at the base, measuring up to 4.8 inches (12 cm) long and 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) wide. They usually have brownish stripes along the midrib and near the tip. The leaf margins have very few to numerous straight to curved cilia.
The flowers are star-shaped, 8- to 10-merous, and appear in a very loose cluster on a sticky stalk in late winter and spring. They are yellow with reddish lines on the undersides of the petals and can reach about 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter. The flower stalk can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long, while the flower cluster can reach up to 16 inches (40 cm) long and 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care for Aeonium glutinosum
Light: A. glutinosum grows best in full sun to partial shade. Indoors, give it bright indirect light as much as possible. A leggy, stretched plant is a sign of not getting enough light.
Soil: While most succulents do well when planted in a potting mix specifically formulated for succulents, sandy loam or regular potting mix amended with perlite is better for A. glutinosum because it requires some more moisture.
Temperature: This succulent does not like hot or dry weather and may go dormant in summer. It prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 °F (18 and 24 °C). A. glutinosum can withstand temperatures as low as 30 °F (-1.1 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C).
Watering: A. glutinosum requires more water than most succulents, but too much moisture will lead to root rot. In spring and fall, water the plant thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Water more sparingly in winter. The plant does not need to be watered during its dormancy in summer except in arid conditions.
Fertilizing: Feed your plant with a half-strength balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Do not feed A. glutinosum when it is dormant in the summer months.
Repotting: If you grow A. glutinosum in a container, repot with fresh potting soil every two to three years. Choose a container with drainage holes to avoid standing water and root rot.
Propagation: This succulent is very easy to propagate from cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is spring. Allow the cut end to dry for several days before placing it in the soil. It can also be propagated by seed. Sow the seeds in spring.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Aeonium.
Toxicity of Aeonium glutinosum
A. glutinosum is non-toxic to humans and animals.
Hybrids of Aeonium glutinosum
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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