Aeonium urbicum (Saucer Plant) | World of Succulents

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, robust and easy to grow, drought tolerant succulent that makes one of the biggest flowerhead you're ever gonna see. It is one of the tallest Aeoniums and it can reach up to 6 feet. Its pyramidal inflorescence easily reaches 3 x 3 feet in size. Pink or white starry blooms appear July through August. Strikingly architectural, even when not in bloom (which takes a few years) with long leaved, smooth rosettes up to 20 inches (50 cm) across.

Photo via etsy.com

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 (65–75˚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… – 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.