Photo: Sheelagh HalseyCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Aeonium Plant Care
Aeonium arboreum Webb & Berthel.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aeonium arboreum, the tree aeonium, tree houseleek, or Irish rose, is a succulent, subtropical subshrub in the flowering plant family Crassulaceae.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Aeonium?
Water Aeonium every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Aeonium?
Aeonium (Aeonium arboreum) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Aeonium genus. Aeonium is native to Canary Islands, Madeira. Aeonium is also known as Tree Aeonium, Green Tree Aeonium, Houseleek.
Aeonium displays a rosette-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Aeonium produces clusters of small star-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Aeonium?
Aeonium arboreum requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Aeonium Need?
Aeonium thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Aeonium Prefer?
Aeonium arboreum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Aeonium prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aeonium?
Sandy, well-draining succulent mix with perlite and pumice. Good drainage is essential for Aeonium to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Aeonium?
Feed Aeonium every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Aeonium?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Aeonium?
Aeonium can be propagated through stem cuttings, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to saucer plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Aeonium Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Aeonium, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Aeonium?
Aeonium is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Aeonium Need?
Aeonium grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Aeonium is native to Canary Islands, Madeira. In cooler regions, grow Aeonium as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Aeonium is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Aeonium genus — compare its care with other Aeonium species on PlantoScan.
Aeonium is part of the Crassulaceae plant family — browse all Crassulaceae genera and species.
Aeonium thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aeonium arboreum Webb & Berthel., family Crassulaceae (first published in Hist. Nat. Iles Canaries 3(2; 1): 185 (1840)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aeonium, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Sheelagh Halsey, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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