Aeonium arboreum
tree aeonium
Overview
Aeonium arboreum is an evergreen succulent subshrub that forms branching woody stems topped with flat rosettes of fleshy leaves. Plants reach 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall and 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) wide. Each rosette measures 5-8 inches (13-20 cm) across and holds spoon-shaped green leaves 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long, fringed with short cilia along the margins. The stems are bare and gray-brown below, branching as they age and carrying rosettes at their tips. In winter and early spring, mature rosettes produce a conical raceme 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall packed with small yellow star-shaped flowers. The flowering rosette dies after seed set, while side branches continue to grow. A. arboreum stores water in its leaves and stems, growing during the cool, moist months and slowing or shedding lower leaves through hot, dry summers. It tolerates light frost to about 28°F (-2°C) but is damaged by hard freezes. The species grows on rocky slopes and coastal cliffs in its native range and is cultivated in Mediterranean and coastal gardens. Stems lengthen and rosettes loosen in deep shade.
Native Range
Aeonium arboreum is native to Morocco and adjacent areas of the western Mediterranean. It grows on rocky slopes, cliffs, and coastal scrub at low elevations.Suggested Uses
Aeonium arboreum is grown in containers, rock gardens, and coastal Mediterranean plantings, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Its rosettes add structure in succulent borders and mixed pots.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in winter and early spring, generally January to April in mild climates. Each mature rosette sends up a conical raceme 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall crowded with small yellow flowers. The rosette that flowers dies once seed sets, while unflowered side rosettes continue to grow.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Aeonium arboreum grows in full sun to part shade in well-drained sandy or rocky soil with a pH near 6.0 to 7.0. It is a winter grower, taking up water during the cool season and entering partial dormancy in hot, dry summers when lower leaves drop. Soil is allowed to dry between waterings, with watering kept infrequent in summer to limit rot. Plants tolerate temperatures to about 28°F (-2°C); hard freezes kill exposed rosettes. In zones 9b to 11 it grows outdoors year-round, while in colder areas it is grown in containers and moved under cover for winter. Stems bend toward the light and rosettes loosen in deep shade.Pruning
Cutting a rosette with a length of stem and rerooting it lowers height and produces new plants. Spent flowering rosettes can be removed after seed set, since those rosettes do not regrow. Stems cut back near the base branch into multiple new rosettes.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons