Scientific Name
Aeonium mascaense Bramwell
Synonym(s)
Aeonium ×mascaense
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Etymology
The specific epithet "mascaense (mas-kay-EN-see)" refers to the type locality in the Masca Gorge.
Origin
Aeonium mascaense is native to the Canary Islands (Tenerife). Some believe it is a natural hybrid resulting from a cross between Aeonium haworthii and Aeonium sedifolium.
Description
Aeonium mascaense is an attractive, much-branched succulent subshrub with slender stems with rough leaf scars and tipped with small dense rosettes of glaucous green leaves with red margins and a strong red stripe down the middle. It can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) tall, forming a nice mound. The leaves are thick, fleshy, spoon-shaped, with long forward-curved cilia on the margins, and can measure up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) long.
The white to pale pink flowers appear in lax clusters on erect stalks with a few bracts, reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) in height.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °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 require no 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 Aeonium needs 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 the plant is 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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