Aeonium spathulatum

Scientific Name

Aeonium spathulatum (Hornem.) Praeger

Synonyms

Aeonium bentejui, Aeonium cruentum, Aeonium spathulatum var. cruentum, Aeonium strepsicladum, Aichryson pulchellum, Aldasorea strepsiclada, Sempervivum barbatum, Sempervivum bentejui, Sempervivum cruentum, Sempervivum lineolare, Sempervivum pulchellum, Sempervivum spathulatum, Sempervivum spathulatum var. cruentum, Sempervivum strepsicladum, Sempervivum strepsicladum var. cruentum, Sempervivum villosum

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Aeonium

Description

Aeonium spathulatum is a succulent shrub with spoon-shaped leaves arranged in rosettes at the end of the branches. It grows up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall. Leaves are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and slightly sticky to the touch. They are green, becoming slightly red when exposed to intense light. The plant will bloom within a few years. Flowers are golden yellow, star-shaped, and appear in spring.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Aeoniums do not like hot or dry weather. 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 (65–75˚F / 18–24˚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 two. 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.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Aeonium.

Propagate Aeoniums by stem cuttings, except for unbranched species which die after flowering and are propagated from seed. Take cuttings when the plant is actively growing, usually fall in USDA zones 9 through 11. Aeoniums go dormant in summer; cuttings taken while plants are dormant don't root. Each leaf rosette dies after it blooms.

See more at How to Propagate Aeonium.