Scientific Name
Aeonium tabuliforme (Haw.) Webb & Berthel.
Common Name(s)
Dinner Plate Aeonium, Dinner Plate Plant, Flat-Topped Aeonium, Saucer Plant
Synonym(s)
Sempervivum tabuliforme, Aeonium berthelotianum, Sempervivum berthelotianum
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Aeonieae
Genus: Aeonium
Etymology
The specific epithet "tabuliforme (tab-yoo-LEE-form-ee)" means "tablet-shaped" and refers to the shape of the rosette.
Origin
Aeonium tabuliforme is native to the Canary Islands (Tenerife). It grows on moist, north-facing cliffs and ledges at low altitudes.
Description
Aeonium tabuliforme is a biennial or short-lived perennial succulent that forms a flat, stemless, monocarpic rosette of pale to bright green leaves tightly appressed to each other. The rosette can reach up to 18 inches (45 cm) in diameter. The leaves are fleshy, more or less spoon-shaped, rounded at the tip, ending abruptly in a short, sharp point. They can measure up to 8 inches (20 cm) long and 1.6 inches (4 cm) wide.
The flowers are star-shaped, pale yellow, and appear in dense clusters in an erect raceme, usually in late spring. The raceme can grow up to 24 inches (60 cm) tall.
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. 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.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Aeonium.
Forms, Cultivars, and Hybrids
- Aeonium tabuliforme 'Variegatum'
- Aeonium ×anagense
- Aeonium 'Garnet'
- Aeonium 'Jack Catlin'
- Aeonium 'Zwartkin'
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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