P57- Aeonium Sedifolium

Aeonium sedifolium is a small, densely branched succulent shrub with stems that bear small rosettes of glossy, green to yellowish-green leaves with reddish stripes and many brownish lines near the apex. It grows up to 16 inches (40 cm) tall. The rosettes are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. Leaves are ovate or obovate, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide, and up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) thick.

The flowers are yellow, star-shaped, 9- to 11-merous, and appear in clusters on up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) tall stalks in spring.

How to Grow and Care

Aeoniums do not like hot or dry weather. Therefore, they may go dormant in summer and require no 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 are growing them in containers, repot them every 2 to 3 years with fresh potting soil.