Succulents have become the most cultivated and beloved ornamental houseplants around the world and we can see why! They are adorable, distinctive, and very easy to grow and care for. With their vast number of species, varieties, and hybrids, you will always find a place in your home for another succulent. And we have one more beauty that is waiting to be added to your collection!
Aeonium Arboreum is a subtropical species of flowering succulents that can be found in the western Canary Islands of El Hierro, Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, and Tenerife. Member of the Crassulaceae family, this plant comes by several common names, such as the Tree Houseleek, Tree Aeonium, or Irish Rose.
These succulents are widely available on the market and make for great companions to any type of gardener, especially for beginners. As long as their owners grow them in an environment that mimics their natural habitat, Aeonium Arboreum plants will be more than happy. Moreover, they will show their gratitude by exhibiting gorgeous flowers among their juicy leaves in the winter and spring. Stay tuned!
About Aeonium Arboreum
- Their colors and rosettes can be paired well with other succulents to create lovely indoor and outdoor decorations.
- In their natural habitat, Aeonium Arboreum plants grow in sunny to partially shaded locations on volcanic soils. Make sure you provide yours with plenty of bright sunlight.
- They love warm and slightly humid environments. Keep them indoors during the winter to protect them from frost, as they are not very cold hardy.
- Generally, succulents prefer drier conditions, but Aeonium Arboreum species are quite different. They prefer lots of moisture, so you might need to water and mist them regularly.
- Their soil must be amended with perlite or peat moss to retain some moisture. These succulents can also be grown in a commercial potting mix designed for cacti and succulents, but the results will not be the same.
- While caring for Aeonium Arboreum plants, spare some time to inspect them for any common intruders. Remove any infested part if noticed.
- These succulents have no toxic effects reported, thus they can be grown safely around curious cats, dogs, and children.
Aeonium Arboreum Features: An Overview
- Aeonium Arboreum succulents generally grow at altitudes of about 328 feet (100 m) above sea level.
- They belong to the Aeonium genus that contains about 35 peculiar-looking species of succulents. The most common species include A. Arboreum, A. ‘Garnet’, A. Davidbramwelli ‘Sunburst’, and A. haworthii ‘Kiwi’ or ‘Tricolor’.
- There are several popular varieties of A. Arboreum like A. Arboreum ‘Atropurpureum’ and A. Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’. While Atropurpureum is a tall specimen with maroon foliage, Zwartkop comes in similar sizes but with almost black leaves.
- With a slow-growing habit, these shrubs can reach heights of up to 6 feet (1.8 m) if grown in a garden and up to 3 feet (0.9 m) in pots.
- Aeonium Arboreum plants have fleshy, glossy, and bright green leaves that grow in flattened rosettes on a branching stem. Usually, the younger leaves are pressed close together.
- During their blooming period, they produce a large pyramidal inflorescence of yellow and slightly fluffy blooms on tiny stems. The flowers’ base is smooth, shiny, and colored in green, purple, or red.
- They are a great life companion to Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana thanks to their similar requirements regarding environmental conditions and moisture.
Growing Aeonium Arboreum
Like most succulents, Aeonium Arboreum species show the best growth in full sun to partial shade. When growing these plants indoors, make sure you place them in a location where they can receive plenty of bright and indirect light. The ideal places would be near a south or east-facing window, as your succulents will be exposed to a lot of morning sun there. If you live in a region with hot climates, you may need to move your succulents to a place with partial shade.
Aeonium Arboreum plants prefer temperatures that range from 40 to 100 °F (4-38 °C). During the winter, they do well in nighttime temperatures of 50 °F (10 °C). These succulents are not as frost-tolerant as they would like, so you should bring them indoors if the temperatures drop below 40 °F (4 °C). They can survive in temperatures of 25 °F (-4 °C) for short periods, but it is suggested you protect them from these conditions.
- LICENSED GREENHOUSE GROWN PLANTS: Have confidence in ordering from a CA Licensed greenhouse succulent and cactus Nursery. Succulents bring a colorful addition to your home with the benefits of minimal watering and low maintenance to fit your busy lifestyle.
- SIZE: Succulents come in 4"-6" pots ( Depending on your desired selection from above) fully rooted in soil. Plant measurements will vary as different species grow in different ways: for example, some grow wider, shorter, taller, trailing etc.
- TRACKING DELIVERY: Please keep track of the package once shipped to ensure it is received when the carriers delivers and isn’t left out longer than it needs to as this may cause damage to your plants. Plants should immediately be taken out of the box upon delivery and Lightly watered if soil is dry. Always keep your plants away from direct sun and only keep them in partial sun/shaded areas.
- IMPORTANT INFO TO CONSIDER: Succulents may vary from pictures shown as they are living plants and grow differently throughout the year. Most Succulents leaves are very fragile and occasionally may fall off during transit. If your plant is missing some leaves upon arrival, just know they will grow back and most of the time pretty fast so there is no need to be alarmed.
- UNIQUE GIFTS: Everyone loves receiving succulents as a gift, from moms and dads to grandma's and grandpas. Our succulents are sure to put a smile on anyone's face no matter the person or occasion.
Last update on 2024-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Planting Aeonium Arboreum
These succulents thrive in any slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil that has good drainage. Since they are moisture-lovers, sandy loam or all-purpose potting mix altered with perlite are a better choice than a commercial mix designed for cacti and succulents. If you grow your Aeonium Arboreum in dense soil, you should amend it with peat moss.
During their active growing period, Aeonium Arboreum plants will benefit from regular fertilizing. Feed your succulents with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every two or three weeks. While dormant, you will need to cut back fertilizing to avoid burning your plants.
If you are growing your Aeonium Arboreum indoors, it will require repotting every two or three years. Look for a pot that is one size larger than the current one and fill it with fresh potting mix. Dig out your succulent gently, remove any excess soil around the roots, and transplant it into its new pot. Be careful in this process, as their leaves are pretty fragile and can break easily.
The most common pests that might be eating your succulent are mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. These intruders will show their presence through a cotton-like web, yellow and dropping leaves, or scarce growth and foliage deformity. If you notice any sign of infestation, you need to remove the unhealthy parts of the plant to prevent any possible spread.
Watering Aeonium Arboreum
Due to their succulent foliage, Aeonium Arboreum plants are an excellent choice for beginner growers. These plants store large amounts of water into their leaves, making them pretty tolerant of drought for several days. Moreover, they may go dormant during the summer, a period in which you can skip watering if you live in a humid area.
They are susceptible to root rot and can die off in a short time, so you should avoid over-watering them. If Aeoniums receive too much water, yellow and soft leaves may appear in their foliage. Make sure you always check the soil in-between waterings, allowing the top one or two inches (2-5 cm) to dry out completely. However, when these succulents are not provided with enough water, their leaves will turn brown and die off.
Aeonium Arboreum plants are the most vigorous in the winter and early spring. During this period, you will need to increase the frequency of watering to encourage blooming. For optimal growth, make sure you water your succulents whenever the first inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the touch.
Unlike other succulents, Aeonium Arboreum species are humidity-lovers that do well in average room conditions. If the air around your plants is too dry, you can mist them occasionally or place them near a humidifier to maintain the ideal humidity levels.
Propagating Aeonium Arboreum
If you already have some succulents in your home, then you are familiar with the simple process of getting more of these lovely plants. If you are a beginner gardener, you should know that propagating these awesome succulents is really easy. Whether you want to give them as a gift or keep them for yourself, all succulents can be propagated through leaves or stem cuttings.
The healthy stems that fall off the mother plant are very likely to root in the surrounding potting soil without much effort on your part. But sometimes a grower can be unlucky, so you need to learn how to take some cuttings by yourself! Look for a stem piece that contains a leaf rosette and cut it off using a sharp and sterilized knife. The cutting must be placed in a shady location, allowing it to heal for three or four days.
Fill a small container with fresh mix obtained from half cactus and succulent potting mix and half all-purpose potting soil. For optimal results, the pot should have drainage holes at the bottom. Place the cutting into the potting mix as much as it needs to hold it upright and steady. Keep the container in bright but indirect light and provide your cutting with a little quantity of water once a week.
With proper care, your cutting should develop a strong root system in a few months. Once the cutting is stable, you can water it once the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil is dry. Repot the baby succulent into a larger container when it starts to outgrow the current one.
In Conclusion
So, if you are not the happy owner of an Aeonium Arboreum already, we do recommend you give it a chance! It is a unique-looking plant that will grow healthy and happy in a sunny, warm and slightly humid location with plenty of moisture. With its alluring foliage and tiny flowers, this succulent is a must-have in your everyday background.
1 Comment
I am wondering why the “leaf rosettes” on my plant are beginning to separate in different directions rather than stay flat? My plant is indoors by my kitchen window. It does get a fair amount of indirect light.