Scientific Name
Aeonium hierrense (R.P.Murray) Pit. & Proust.
Common Name(s)
El Hierro Giant Houseleek
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum hierrense
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Etymology
The specific epithet "hierrense (hi-er-REN-see)" means "of or from Hierro" and refers to El Hierro, the second-smallest of the Canary Islands.
Origin
Aeonium hierrense is native to the Canary Islands. (El Hierro). It grows in exposed sunny locations on rocky soils in the eastern and central parts of El Hierro island at elevations of about 3,940 feet (1,200 m).
Description
Aeonium hierrense is a beautiful succulent with a smooth, usually unbranched or rarely few-branched stem topped with a large rosette of green, strongly glaucous leaves with pinkish or reddish margins adorned with fine hairs. The plant can grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall, while the flattish rosettes can reach up to 24 inches (60 cm) in diameter. The leaves are obovate or oblanceolate, measuring up to 12 inches (30 cm) long and 3.2 inches (8 cm) wide.
After three or more years, a dome-shaped flowerhead of many star-shaped, 6- to 9-merous flowers appears on a stalk that can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall, usually in spring. The flowerhead can reach up to 20 inches (50 cm) in height and diameter. The flowers are whitish, with the median part often pinkish. This plant is monocarpic, which means it dies after flowering.
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. 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 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 are growing them in containers, repot them every 2 to 3 years with fresh potting soil.
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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