Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
The aeonium sunburst is a perennial evergreen succulent plant. It has a mix of needle-like leaves with a sheath and rosette shape, which provides a great level of protection for the rest of the plants when they’re dormant in cool weather. Aeoniums are drought-tolerant and grow best in full sun or a partial shade.
They can grow up to a height of one meter and a width of sixty centimeters – making them a perfect option for those who have an available spot in their garden where they’re looking for something that will stand out from the rest!
Aeoniums are frost tolerant but need protection during a cool wet winter.
When aeoniums are in bloom, they come alive with a spectrum of colors that range from a deep red to a light lavender and everything in between. These plants can grow up to ten years old, which makes them an excellent option for those who want something long-lasting! Although it’s hard to find aeoniums at a local nursery, they can be transplanted from a friend’s garden or purchased online.
Aeoniums have a great reputation for being a tough and resilient plants. They are succulents with a small rosette of leaves that grow just a few feet high from the ground, perfect for low-maintenance gardening.
Origin and description of aeonium sunburst
The sunburst aeonium, which can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions from dry to moist, is native to the Canary Islands off Africa’s west coast and was first introduced into cultivation in the United States in 1928.
The aeonium sunburst is a dwarf variety of Aeonium arboreum, a plant that can grow to more than a meter tall with large leaves around one inch wide and covered with sheaths that protect it from changes in temperature or weather. The aeonium sunburst also has a sheath, but a smaller one that is closer to the ground.
The plant has a compact habit with leaves around an inch wide and flowers ranging from white to pale yellow or pinkish-purple in color with streaks of red near its center. The plant blooms throughout spring into summer.
How to propagate?
The best time to propagate an aeonium is when one of its leaf segments falls off naturally. The aeonium propagates by a process called “stolonization” or a type of vegetative propagation.
Here are the steps involved:
- Waiting for a leaf segment to fall off naturally can take a long time, so if the gardener wants more plants quickly they will need to use a sharp blade and cut two segments from the same plant at ground level.
- Cut a segment from a leaf that is a few inches long and about an inch wide on the underside of the plant, leaving a stump at ground level for new roots to form to help the plant grow better in a pot or garden.
- Place it into a moist soil mix of one part organic compost to two parts sandy potting soil and water well.
- Dig a hole in a shady, yet exposed area for the new plant to stand upright. Plant it at an angle so that the stem will grow towards sunlight after two weeks or so.
- After a few days, apply a thick layer of mulch around the aeonium to keep the soil moist during a dry period.
- The aeonium will begin to form a root system in about a week and can be transplanted out of its pot after two weeks, but this varies depending on how healthy the plant is at transplanting time.
How to care for aeonium sunburst
Soil requirements
The aeonium sunburst needs well-drained soil, great drainage is necessary for this plant to thrive. The aeonium will benefit from a gritty sand and peat moss mix with a bit of perlite added in as the base.
Aeration is important so adding some pumice or coarse gravel along with a well-balanced fertilizer will be a great addition.
Light requirements
The aeonium sunburst needs a bright spot in order to thrive. But it does not have a high light requirement, so if you do not wish to provide this plant with a lot of direct sunlight then placing it where it would get a couple of hours of morning or afternoon sun will be great for promoting healthy growth.
However, aeonium sunburst does need a lot of light so if you want to take care of this plant, provide it with plenty.
Watering requirements
This aeonium plant needs a fair amount of water, but it does not like a lot of continuous moisture. So to save the roots from rot and other problems, adding a layer of mulch will be beneficial in keeping the soil moist as well as preventing weed growth near this beautiful plant.
The aeonium sunburst does well in a variety of climates, but it does best when a cool winter is followed by a warm spring.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing an aeonium plant is a great way to help promote healthy growth and prevent some of the common problems such as chlorosis.
It needs a monthly application, but it does not have a high fertilizer requirement so enriching your soil with compost will be beneficial in keeping this flower looking its best.
The aeonium sunburst does a lot of blooming in the springtime, so adding fertilizer with a high phosphorous will be beneficial for promoting healthy flower production.
Temperature
A perfect temperature for an aeonium sunburst is between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can also tolerate a wide temperature range as they are a hardy plant, but a cooler winter followed by a warmer spring will be best for this beautiful flower.
Humidity
A good humidity range for aeonium is 40-70%.
The aeonium sunburst surely does well in a variety of climates, but it needs a little more humidity when grown in a dryer environment.
This plant thrives best when the winter is cool and spring is warm thus making this an ideal time for high humidities to promote healthy growth.
Pruning aeonium sunburst
The aeonium sunburst needs a lot of pruning and will need a lot of attention. When the plant is mature it can grow up to three feet tall, in order for this flower to thrive you should cut off any leggy growths which are unhealthy or unproductive.
And a good time for aeonium sunburst to be trimmed is in January.
The aeonium needs a lot of pruning, so if you want a healthy aeonium plant then make sure to cut off any unhealthy or unproductive growths and trim when necessary.
Repotting
An aeonium flower will need a lot of repotting because it needs a pot when the roots start to grow out.
The plant is going to need a new container as soon as the roots begin growing through, so adding some pumice or coarse gravel along with a well-balanced fertilizer will be a great addition.
Growth rate
An aeonium plant will grow a lot in the spring and a little less during other seasons.
Toxicity
This aeonium is considered toxic due to its concentration of saponin which is a toxic ingredient in aeonium flowers that causes a burning sensation when ingested or even vomiting if eaten in large quantities.
If aeonium flowers are eaten, then the mouth and throat should be cleaned after consumption to avoid any discomfort.
Hardiness zone
Aeonium Sunburst is a type of succulent and perennial that is hardy in zones 9 to 11.
Pests and diseases
Pests that aeonium sunburst typically faces are mealybugs and spider mites. Diseases aeonium sunburst can deal with include leaf spot, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, botrytis blight, rusts, or blights.
