Aeonium arboreum

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Plant
ID 1341 Aeonium arboreum
Botanic Name Aeonium arboreum
Common Name Tree Aeonium, Houseleek Tree, Irish Rose
Family Name Crassulaceae
Cultivars 'Electra', 'Tip Top', 'Zwartkop', 'Velour', 'Variegatum', 'Atropurpureum', syn. Sempervivum arboreum
Origin Morocco, Canary Islands, Zone 9-11
Growth Type Cacti & Succulents
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Low
No. of Species 35
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Medium
Height 0.6 - 1.5 m (2 - 5 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This subtropical succulent sub-shrub has an upright habit with fleshy stems that branch occasionally. The spoon-shaped fleshy mid-green leaves are arranged in rosettes towards the end of the stems and star-shaped yellow flowers bloom during summer.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Spathulate
The spathulate leaves are up to 150 mm (6 in) long and are arranged in tightly packed terminal rosette and may have a ciliate margin. The texture is thick and fleshy and the apex is cuspidate. Vigorous growth occurs during the wet season.
Arrangement Rosette
Margin Entire
Colour Bright green
Size 80 - 150 mm ( 3.1 - 5.9 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Stellate
The small stellate flowers are arranged in a terminal panicle up to 300 mm (12 in) long and held above the foliage on a tall scape appearing during summer. Once the flower has finished the branch dies back.
Inflorescence Panicle
Colour Yellow
Size 6 - 10 mm ( 0.2 - 0.4 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Follicle Additional Information
Colour Brown
The small follicle appears in clusters and produces many tiny ellipsoid seeds. The small seed is viable but the plant is normally reproduced vegetatively.
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, poor- fertile moist-dry sandy to gritty loam, pH 7.0-8.5
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes, under glass in frost prone or cold climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to semi-shade, open position, frost tender and drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Susceptible to whitefly, aphid and sclerotinia rot in wet soils
Fertiliser Not normally required, if container grown apply liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing period
Pruning Remove spent and yellowing foliage
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Tree Aeonium is grown for its attractive foliage, upright habit and dense flower heads. It is planted arid or Mediterranean gardens in rockeries or along sunny borders and is commonly used in patio pots and planter boxes tolerating heat.
Sow fresh seeds during spring and maintain a temperature of 18 to 21 C (64 to 75 F). Take stem cuttings during summer and allow the wound to callus then place in a sandy mix and occasionally water allowing roots to form.
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