Aeonium urbicum (Saucer Plant)

Scientific Name

Aeonium urbicum (Chr. Sm. ex Hornem.) Webb & Berth.

Common Names

Saucer Plant

Synonyms

Sempervivum urbicum

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Aeonium urbicum is a rare, drought-tolerant, robust and easy to grow succulent that makes one of the biggest flowerhead you are ever gonna see. It is one of the tallest Aeoniums and it can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 m). Its pyramidal inflorescence easily reaches up to 3 feet (90 cm) in height and about the same in width. Pink or white, starry flowers appear in summer. It is strikingly architectural, even when not in bloom (which takes a few years) with long leaved, smooth rosettes up to 20 inches (50 cm) in diameter.

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 really hot or dry weather. They may go dormant in summer and do not require any water, except in very dry 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 need some moisture. If you are growing them in containers, repot 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.

Origin

Aeonium urbicum is native to Canary Islands (Tenerife).

Links

• Back to genus Aeonium
• Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus

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