Care of the succulent plant Aeonium spathulatum or Spoon-leaved aeonium |
The genus Aeonium, of the Crassulaceae family, comprises 75 species of succulent plants native to the Canary Islands, Madeira, East Africa and Morocco. Some species are: Aeonium spathulatum, Aeonium percarneum, Aeonium mascaense, Aeonium haworthii, Aeonium glutinosum, Aeonium canariense, Aeonium arboreum, Aeonium undulatum, Aeonium sedifolium, Aeonium virgineum. Common name: Spoon-leaved aeonium. Scientific synonyms: Aeonium bentejui, Aeonium cruentum. This species is native to Canary Islands. They are bushy succulent plants that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. The fleshy and spatulate leaves up to 3 cm (1.18") in length arise in a rosette, are bright green in color and have linear glands. The showy flowers are deep yellow. They can bloom from late winter to late spring. Spoon-leaved aeonium is an easy to grow plants that are used in flowerpots for terraces and patios, in rockeries and in cactus gardens and succulent plants. Aeonium cruentum can be grown in full sun or half shade exposure. It does not tolerate cold and frost, so the winter temperature should not drop below 10 ºC (50 ºF). Aeonium spathulatum is not picky about the soil as long as it drains very well; it can grow in poor, sandy soil. Spoon-leaved aeonium resists drought well, so watering every 15-20 days in spring and summer, once a month in autumn and every 2 months in winter will be sufficient. If it is grown outdoors it will have enough with the autumn and winter rains. Aeonium cruentum will appreciate a fertilization with compost in autumn and another with mineral fertilizer for succulent plants in late winter. Aeonium spathulatum does not require pruning but can be trimmed after flowering to give them a more compact appearance. Excess moisture can rot the plant and excessive heat can cause mealybug attacks. It's possible to propagate these plants by means of cuttings rooted in a sandy substrate in spring or from seeds sown in a seedbed in spring. |
Images of the succulent plant Aeonium spathulatum or Spoon-leaved aeonium |