Aeoniums are popular succulents that many people love to grow for their perfect rosette shape. They can range in size from small varieties that are ideal for growing in pots, even indoors, to large plants that are suitable for use in an outdoor landscape.
Aeoniums are monocarpic which means that the plant will die after flowering. But many of these plants produce multiple stems that do not all flower at once. Therefore, only the stem that has flowered will die. So, it’s unlikely that you’ll lose the entire plant once flowers start to appear.
You’ll find that most people grow Aeoniums for their spectacular foliage rather than their flowers. The perfectly symmetrical rosettes that these plants produce are a delight to see. And, apart from their symmetrical shape, Aeoniums also come in many different colors as well.
Here is a collection of the most popular Aeoniums that people like to grow both in their gardens and in pots on balconies, decks or as a decorative feature indoors.
Aeonium arboreum (Tree Aeonium)
Tree Aeoniums are largish shrubs that produce the classic rosettes on the ends of long stems. They can grow to a height of 6 feet if not trimmed regularly.
The rosettes on the ends of the stems are normally flattened or even star-shaped. When grown in full sun the leaves can turn from green to dark copper.
When this variety flowers, it will produce a large woody stem that supports yellow flower clusters that can grow 4 to 10 inches long.
Aeonium smithii (Smith’s Giant Houseleek)
This is a smaller variety of Aeonium that produces multiple stems and multiple branches off each stem. Each stem or branch has a small rosette on the end. The leaves in the rosettes are jade green in color with a deep red edge that spreads as the leaves mature.
This succulent grows to around 2 feet tall with a spread of around 16 inches. The leaves are glossy and spoon-shaped.
Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
This is a spectacular hybrid with stunningly bright leaves arranged in a beautiful open rosette. The leaves are dark green in the center, surrounded by yellow and tinged with pinkish-red on the edges.
The rosettes on Aeonium sunburst succulent can reach a diameter of 8 inches. It needs to grow in full sun for all the colors to develop on the leaves. The plant grows to a height of 2 feet. Therefore, it’s great for planting in a pot and positioning it in a sunny spot on your deck.
When it flowers, these appear in clusters and are small and white.
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ (Giant Red Aeonium)
This large growing hybrid can reach a height of 4 feet. It produces tall rosettes on stems. As the plant matures, the rosettes grow even taller to give this succulent an interesting appearance.
The inner leaves are lime green in color with a dark red edge. The mature leaves are dark red to brown. This plant would make a stunning focal point when planted in a large terracotta pot.
Aeonium dodrantale (Rose Succulent)
When you see this succulent, you’ll understand how it got its common name of rose succulent. The rosettes are shaped just like large half-open rosebuds. These are colored light green in the center and darker green as the outer leaves mature and grow larger. Each rosette can grow to a diameter of 2.4 inches.
The rose succulent is quite a compact grower. This means it’s ideal for growing indoors in pots or on a sunny deck.
The flowers appear in spring and summer on long 10 inch stalks. They are yellow in color.
Aeonium tabuliforme (Aeonium Dinner Plate)
This is another spectacular Aeonium that produces large open rosettes that can grow up to 13 inches in diameter. Each individual leaf is quite short and broad and has fuzzy edges.
This succulent is low to the ground and only grows to about 2 to 6 inches tall. When it flowers, it produces small showy yellow blooms that form a large pyramid cluster.
Aeonium haworthii (Pinwheel Aeonium)
This Aeonium produces half-open rosettes that have green leaves. When growing in full sun, the leaves will develop lovely red margins. Each rosette can grow to a diameter of 4 inches.
This succulent produces cream or pink flowers in spring. These grow on 6 inch high stems in clusters. This variety of Aeonium is also available in a variegated form that has light green and yellow leaves with a pink margin.
Aeonium percarneum ‘Kiwi’ (Kiwi Aeonium)
This is another stunning variegated hybrid. It produces smaller rosettes up to around 5 inches in diameter. The outer leaves are dark green while the inner leaves are pale yellow with a green stripe down the center. All the leaves are fringed in a pinkish-red.
Interestingly, the plant’s colors are more striking when it’s grown in partial shade. The flowers are produced on long stems and are yellow in color and star-shaped.
Aeonium arboreum ‘Atropurpureum’ (Black Tree Aeonium)
Like the green tree Aeonium, this variety grows into a woody shrub to around 3 to 5 feet tall. The leafy rosettes grow on the ends of short stems.
When grown in full sun, the leaves of this Aeonium will turn a dark burgundy-purple to almost black. But the center of the rosette remains a pale green. This gives the plant an interesting contrast in color.
Black tree Aeonium produces clusters of star-shaped flowers in spring. These flowers are a bright golden yellow.
Aeonium urbicum (Saucer Plant)
This Aeonium has massive rosettes that can grow as large as 20 inches in diameter. The leaves are lime green and will display deep red tips when the plant is grown in full sun. The stems can grow up to 6 feet tall. That’s why this is the largest of all Aeonium species.
The plant also produces large flowers on 3 foot high stems. The flowers are white or pink and are formed as conical clusters.
Aeonium sedifolium (Dwarf Aeonium)
This low-growing Aeonium only reaches a height of 4 inches. It has spectacular small rosettes with a color mixture of lime green, orange and red. The rosettes form a dense clump making this a stunning showpiece whether grown indoors or out in the rock garden.
Aeonium canariense (Canary Island Aeonium)
This is a low-growing Aeonium with large green rosettes that turn red when grown in full sun. The rosettes look very much like globe artichokes.
When it produces flowers, these form on longish stems up to 2 feet tall. The clusters of flowers form a conical shape on the stem and are generally creamy-white in color.
Aeonium ‘Bronze Medal’ (Bronze Medal Aeonium)
This hybrid Aeonium produces small rosettes with lime green leaves that have a bronze stripe down the center and bronze-colored ‘brush strokes’ on the tips. As the leaves mature they fade to a lighter green still with the bronze detailing.
The plant grows to a height of 12 inches and to around 18 inches in diameter. This makes it ideal for growing in pots.
Aeonium ‘Emerald Ice’ (Emerald Ice)
This is another stunning hybrid with large flat rosettes that can reach a diameter of 8 to 12 inches. The individual leaves are lime green in the center with creamy margins around the edges. The formation of the leaves form a lovely geometric pattern.
Aeonium ‘Silk Pinwheel’ (Silk Pinwheel)
If you love the dark burgundy colors displayed by some Aeoniums, you’ll absolutely adore silk pinwheel. It has dark burgundy rosettes with the leaves arranged in a large, tight spiral. The leaves feel like silk when you touch them. To add to their unique look, the leaves in the center of the rosette are lime green.
This Aeonium grows to a height of 12 to 36 inches with a spread of around 8 to 16 inches.
Aeonium ‘Blushing Beauty’ (Blushing Aeonium)
This is another interesting hybrid that has tight rosettes on the end of quite tall, thick stems. The inner leaves are green but the outer ones are a deep red and fade to a lighter red toward the bottom. It grows to a height of around 6 to 12 inches.
Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ (Black Rose Succulent)
Often used in mass landscaping projects, the black rose succulent features dark burgundy to almost black leaves arranged in an open rosette at the end of long gray stems. It creates quite a spectacular display when paired with other green varieties.
This Aeonium grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet with multiple stems that each have a rosette on the end. Each rosette can be up to 8 inches in diameter.
The black rose succulent can produce yellow to white star-shaped flowers that bloom in summer. These flowers appear on long stems and the clusters form a conical shape.
Aeonium ‘Moonburst’ (Moonburst)
Another interesting hybrid with rosettes of almost flat leaves that are not glossy. They range in color from dark green to ones with variegation of dark green and yellow. The leaves are edged in a deep red to rose pink.
This is a smaller growing Aeonium reaching a height of around 6 inches and a diameter of 8 inches.
Aeonium garnet ‘Firerose’ (Firerose Aeonium)
This hybrid Aeonium is another small-growing variety. It only reaches a height of 8 inches and a diameter of 6 inches. It has lovely part-open rosettes and is not quite as symmetrical as other varieties.
The center leaves are lime green. These mature to a deep red color making this an ideal specimen to grow in a pot indoors.
Aeonium aureum (Green Rose Buds)
This small-growing Aeonium has delicate-looking green rosettes that resemble a rose flower. The ends of the outer leaves curl under slightly to give the impression of rose petals.
The plant only grows to around 8 inches high with a spread of 7 inches. It’s an ideal one to add to your indoor succulent collection.
Reference:
https://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/ab/Aeonium
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-results?query=Aeonium