Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Aeonium arboreum is a brownish-green aeonium that has a dense rosette of leaves, with a stem so short as to be hardly noticeable.
This aeonium is a low-growing succulent plant with a variety of shapes and colors. The leaves are often bright green in color, but some varieties have reddish or yellowish tones as well. It grows slowly and can live for a long time without needing to be repotted, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who want a durable plant that doesn’t need much care.
Aeonium arboreum also thrives when exposed to full sun (as opposed to semi-shade) because the soil is neither too wet nor too dry; this makes them popular plants for landscapers in warm climates such as Southern California where rain isn’t frequent enough on its own since they don’t require supplemental watering either.
How to propagate Aeonium Arboreum?
Aeonium arboreum can be propagated by a number of methods, including cuttings, division, and seeds. Cuttings taken from healthy plants are a popular choice for propagation because they grow quickly into a mature plant with a similar appearance to the original parent.
The cutting should have at least two or three leaves on it before attempting to root in soilless media such as vermiculite. Once the cut is made, allow it to bleed out any sap which may still be lingering in order to avoid rot setting in during this vulnerable stage of development.
After that, insert into a mixture containing half perlite and half sand then place inside a clear plastic bag until roots develop – typically after six weeks.
The division is a simple method for propagation when aeonium arboreum plants have been well-grown over the years. Divide them, and then pot each new section separately in a mixture of perlite and peat moss.
How to care for Aeonium Arboreum?
Light requirements
Aeoniums do not require a lot of light, so they can be grown even in a dark room. They are tolerant to low levels of sunlight and will only thrive when the amount of light increases gradually. You should give them a minimum of five hours a day with filtered sun or fluorescent lights.
Soil
All aeoniums need potting soil with excellent drainage. The best choice is a mixture of well-rotted compost and coarse sand or grit, while the bark should be avoided as it retains too much water for this particular species.
Watering aeoniums
Aeoniums are drought-tolerant plants, so they will do fine with a little bit of water during the summer and autumn months. The roots are sensitive to high temperatures and humidity, which makes them vulnerable to fungal infections.
They should be watered three times a week in the wintertime or when it’s raining heavily outside as they need more moisture at this point. In case your plants show signs of wilting, you may want to increase the watering frequency until they recover from their dehydration episodes.
Fertilizing aeoniums
Fertilizing aeonium should be done only once a year, in the autumn. You will have to use a product that is specifically designed for succulents and cacti, as it won’t tolerate any other types of fertilizer or organic material such as manure.
The best option is a commercial slow-release fertilizer mixed with a little bit of dolomite lime when repotting your plants every year. A solution made from one tablespoonful of Epsom salts to two liters (four pints) of water can also work well if you are going on vacation without taking care of your plants first and need something fast-acting.
Temperature
Aeonium arboreum grows well in a variety of temperatures. It can grow and thrive between a temperature range that goes from 15 to 24 degrees Celsius, which is about 59-75 Fahrenheit degrees.
The plant also does best when the soil remains moist but not wet since it will die if its roots are submerged for too long or waterlogged with soggy soil.
Humidity
Aeonium arboreum prefers a humid environment that is within the 60-80% range. It requires a lot of water and that 80% humidity level is key to its survival in a dry environment, as it can help the foliage remain plump and shiny with moisture for a longer amount of time than they would be able to survive on their own without enough rainfall or irrigation.
The plant will wilt if the air is too dry, and this can lead to the plant’s death.
The best way to help prevent aeonium arboreum from wilting in a dry atmosphere is by misting it with water on a daily basis and providing plenty of shade for its leaves during hot summer days that may cause them to burn.
Repotting
Aeonium arboreum should be repotted in a new pot with sandy soil that is free of any chemicals or fertilizers. This will help it grow to its full potential and ensure the plant can reach a height of up to 18 inches tall, about 45 cm.
The aeonium arboreum will need to be repotted a few times a year and it is best to be done in a well-lit area, as the plant cannot tolerate any lack of light.
Pruning
The aeonium arboreum has a very low tolerance for pruning. The plant is not able to bounce back from a lot of damage and so it should only be trimmed as its need arises, such as when the leaves are yellowing or drooping too much due to a lack of moisture in the air.
Pruning an aeonium arboreum should be done with a sharp knife or shears.
Growth rate
Aeonium arboreum is a slow-growing succulent plant.
Aeoniums grow from a central rosette of leaves that are flat to the ground and will not usually branch out into a tree shape like many other plants in this family do.
Toxicity
Aeonium arboreum is a non-toxic plant.
Pests and diseases
There are no insects or diseases that commonly affect aeoniums, although they may be attacked by mealybugs and scale sometimes.
Conclusion
You should avoid any type of chemical fertilizers in order to grow healthy plants that can eventually form a mature rosette. When re-potting your aeoniums every year, you will have to add some fresh organic material into their new containers in order not to drain them completely out during the winter months.
