The Aeonium genus comprises of roughly thirty-five species, and countless horticultural and natural hybrids. Most species are endemic to the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, with a few from Morocco, Yemen, and East Africa. This is a guide to some of the most common Aeoniums in cultivation.
In cultivation Aeoniums are easy to grow outdoors in Mediterranean climates. Such climates have hot, dry summers, and cool, wet winters. Most Aeoniums will not tolerate hard frosts. Most species will tolerate temperatures down to freezing without significant damage. A few will survive into the high twenties. Aeoniums will go dormant during the hot summer months.
Almost all Aeoniums can be propagated by cuttings, with the exception of solitary species like Aeonium nobile and Aeonium tabuliforme. Solitary species can be propagated through coring. Coring involves removing the meristem of the plant to force branching. The branches can then be separated and rooted. All Aeonium species can be propagated from seed and are self fertile. In habitat, seed germinates in the fall when temperatures are cooler and when there is sufficient rainfall. Some Aeoniums can be propagated through leaf cutting. These include Aeonium haworthii and Aeonium tabuliforme. Leaf cuttings of Aeoniums can be harder to root than those of other succulents. This is because the thin leaves of Aeoniums are prone to drying up before they can develop roots or plantlets.
Aeonium Species Commonly Found In Cultivation
Aeonium arboreum
Aeonium arboreum is perhaps the most common Aeonium in cultivation. It has many hybrids, both of natural and horticultural origin. There are four subspecies of Aeonium arboreum. Aeonium arboreum subsp. arboreum, Aeonium arboreum subsp. holochrysum, Aeonium arboreum subsp. rubrolineatum, and Aeonium arboreum subsp. korneliuslemsii. There are several cultivars of Aeonium arboreum. The most popular cultivars include a variegated form called 'Albovariegatum', a reddish form called 'Atropurpureum', and a deep purple form called 'Zwartkop'.
Aeonium arboreum subsp. arboreum
This is a common greenish form of the species with yellow flowers. This subspecies has sepals which are covered by fine hairs making it distinct from subsp. holochrysum.
Aeonium arboreum subsp. holochrysum
This subspecies is similar to subsp. arboreum, the main difference being that the flower sepals and stems lack any hairs. The leaves are commonly streaked with red or brown during the dormant season.
Aeonium arboreum subsp. rubrolineatum
This subspecies looks quite similar to subsp. holochrysum when not in flower. However, subsp. rubrolineatum has pale yellow flowers that are streaked with red distinguishing it from both subsp. arboreum and subsp. holochrysum.
Aeonium arboreum subsp. korneliuslemsii
This subspecies is vastly different from the other forms of Aeonium arboreum. This subspecies has leaves that are covered with fine hairs instead of being glabrous. It is the only Aeonium native to Morocco. It still remains uncommon in cultivation.
Aeonium arboreum 'Albovariegatum' or 'Variegatum'
This is a marginally variegated form of Aeonium arboreum subsp. arboreum.
Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum'
This is a form of Aeonium arboreum which produces reddish leaves in strong light. Its origin is unknown.
Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'
'Zwartkop' is a Dutch selection of Aeonium arboreum 'Atropurpureum' with leaves that are nearly black. This is the parent of most if not all red or purple hybrids in cultivation.
Aeonium castello-paivae
Aeonium castello-paivae forms small bluish green rosettes which are 2 - 3 inches in diameter. A variegated form called 'Harry Mak' is more commonly seen in cultivation than the plain species.
Aeonium castello-paivae
Aeonium castello-paivae 'Harry Mak'
This is a colorful form of the species with "random" variegation. It is commonly sold as Aeonium castello-paivae 'Suncup'.
Aeonium davidbramwellii
Aeonium davidbramwellii is another variable species. The rosettes can be anywhere from 2.5 - 12 inches in diameter depending on the clone. The unvariegated forms remain relatively uncommon in cultivation. The two variegated forms are more commonly cultivated.
Aeonium davidbramwellii
Aeonium davidbramwellii 'Sunburst' and 'Starburst'
Aeonium davidbramwellii 'Sunburst' is a marginally variegated form of the species, meanwhile 'Starburst' is a medially variegated form. 'Starburst' is the name that is applied to a partially reverted marginally variegated form of 'Sunburst', although this form has gone by other names. A crested cultivar of Aeonium davidbramwellii 'Sunburst' is known as Aeonium davidbramwellii 'Spreading Sun'.
Aeonium decorum
Aeonium decorum is a variable plant, and several forms are frequently seen in cultivation. Rosettes can range from 1.5 - 4 inches in diameter. Flowers are always white with a pinkish tinge. Two forms commonly seen in cultivation are 'Fairy Wings' and 'Berry Nice'.
Aeonium decorum 'Fairy Wings'
This is a dwarf form of the species with heavily clumping rosettes that reach around 2 inches in diameter.
Aeonium decorum 'Berry Nice'
The rosettes of this plant greatly resemble Aeonium leucoblepharum, however Aeonium decorum 'Berry Nice' has pinkish flowers while the former has yellow flowers. Aeonium decorum 'Berry Nice' develops reddish streaks when grown in strong light.
Aeonium haworthii
Aeonium haworthii is another species that is extremely common in cultivation. It has a tendency to naturalize when left to its own devices or when neglected. It readily spreads in gardens by both seeds which germinate with ease and cuttings that take root effortlessly. There are two forms commonly seen in cultivation, a typical greenish form and a variegated form called 'Dream Color'. All forms have flowers that are whitish and streaked with pink.
The typical form of Aeonium haworthii
Aeonium haworthii 'Dream Color'
This is a marginally variegated form of the species. When grown in good light the leaves become bright yellow and the edges are reddish. It is also known as 'Tricolor' and 'Kiwi'.
Aeonium leucoblepharum
Aeonium leucoblepharum is a colorful species. It produces rosettes around 4 inches in diameter. In bright light, it develops bronze colored leaves with reddish streaking down the middle of the leaf. This species has yellow flowers. It is the only Aeonium endemic to Yemen.
Aeonium nobile
Aeonium nobile is undoubtedly the largest Aeonium species. In cultivation it can form rosettes up to 2 feet in diameter. This species is usually solitary so propagation is often done by seed. There are forms that branch minimally in cultivation which can be propagated by cutting. Coring can also be an option. The flowers are deep red. It is the parent of the popular hybrid Aeonium 'Lily Pad'. The pure species does not form a distinct stem, and plants that look similar to nobile but have a distinct stem are usually hybrids with davidbramwellii.
Aeonium percarneum
Aeonium percarneum has rosettes ranging from 4 - 8 inches in diameter, with glaucous leaves. The white flowers grow on a large inflorescence that can be up to a foot or more in length. This species originates from the Gran Canaria where it is commonly seen growing on rooftops and as an epiphyte on trees.
Aeonium sedifolium
Aeonium sedifolium is probably the most miniature Aeonium species. The rosettes are around an inch in diameter or smaller. The leaves are thick and rounded usually with a reddish streak down the middle. It branches profusely and sends out small flower stalks with yellow flowers.
Aeonium spathulatum
Aeonium spathulatum is another miniature species. It forms rosettes from 1 - 3 inches in diameter. This species is known for its drastic seasonal changes in appearance. The rosettes are loose and open in the winter and tightly closed into balls in the summer.
Aeonium tabuliforme
Aeonium tabuliforme forms green rosettes up to a foot in diameter that are nearly completely flat. This species is solitary so propagation is done by seed and by leaf. A crested form exists, which frequently reverts. The reversions are often used as cuttings to propagate the regular form of the species.
Aeonium undulatum
Aeonium undulatum is a sizeable species with rosettes up to 1.5 feet in diameter. The stems can grow up to 5 feet before they produce an inflorescence. This species rarely branches on the main stem but instead forms suckers near the ground. Aeonium undulatum forms large flower stalks that reach 1.5 feet in length and hold hundreds of yellow flowers. Aeonium undulatum is the parent of many popular garden hybrids including Aeonium 'Cyclops' and Aeonium 'Voodoo'.
Common Aeonium Hybrids In Cultivation.
The Jack Catlin Hybrids
Jack Catlin was one of the most accomplished Aeonium hybridizers. He remains famous to this day for his hybrids of Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'. His hybrids attempted to combine the intense color of 'Zwartkop' with the structural forms of other Aeoniums.
Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty', Aeonium 'Velour', and Aeonium 'Plum Purdy'
These three Jack Catlin cultivars are hybrids between Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' and Aeonium canariense. All of these cultivars have yellow flowers.
Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty'
Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' forms open green rosettes during the winter. By summer, the rosettes become cup shaped and develop a reddish "blush". The leaves are puberulent.
Aeonium 'Pink Witch'
This is one of multiple variegated forms of Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty'.
Aeonium 'Velour'
Aeonium 'Velour' is far more colorful than Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' and retains a reddish color in the winter. During the dormant season, the rosettes are a purplish color. Similar to Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty', the leaves are puberulent.
Aeonium 'Medusa'
This is a variegated form of Aeonium 'Velour'.
Aeonium 'Plum Purdy'
Aeonium 'Plum Purdy' has similar colors to Aeonium 'Velour' but is capable of growing taller. The leaves are glabrous, and the rosettes can reach a larger size than both of its siblings.
Aeonium 'Cyclops' and Aeonium 'Voodoo'
These two cultivars are crosses between Aeonium arboreum 'Zwarkop' and Aeonium undulatum. They produce large inflorescence with hundreds of yellow flowers, similar to those of Aeonium undulatum.
Aeonium 'Cyclops'
Aeonium 'Cyclops' forms reddish rosettes with a green center. The rosettes are capable of growing up to 1 foot in diameter and the stems often reach up to 5 feet in height.
Aeonium 'Voodoo'
Aeonium 'Voodoo' is similar to 'Cyclops', however, it can reach heights of 6 feet and the rosettes are usually larger than those of 'Cyclops'. The leaves are a deep purple color instead of red.
A variegated form of Aeonium 'Voodoo'
Aeonium 'Jack Catlin', Aeonium 'Garnet', and Aeonium 'Zwartkin'.
These three cultivars are crosses between Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' and Aeonium tabuliforme. These plants combine the low growing and compact tendencies of Aeonium tabuliforme while still retaining the color of 'Zwartkop'. Variegated forms of 'Garnet' and 'Zwartkin' are known to exist.
Aeonium 'Jack Catlin'
Variegated Aeonium 'Zwartkin'
Hybrids by Renee O'Connell
Renee O'Connell is world renown for her Echeveria hybrids. She has also made several Aeonium hybrids, including Aeonium 'Mardi Gras', Aeonium 'Fiesta', Aeonium 'Sun Dancer' and Aeonium 'Emerald Ice'.
Aeonium 'Mardi Gras'
Aeonium 'Mardi Gras' is a colorful variegated hybrid with tri-colored foliage (green, white, and red). It is prone to sunburn in hot climates. The exact parentage remains unknown, but it includes Aeonium 'Garnet', Aeonium 'Velour', and a variegated form of Aeonium arboreum.
Aeonium 'Fiesta'
Aeonium 'Fiesta' is another variegated hybrid created by Renee O'Connell. The coloration is similar to 'Mardi Gras' but there is less red, and the variegation is yellowish rather than white. The exact parentage is unknown.
Aeonium 'Sun Dancer'
Aeonium 'Sun Dancer' is very similar to Aeonium 'Dream Color' but the rosettes are much larger and the plant is more vigorous. The exact parentage of this hybrid is also unknown.
Aeonium 'Emerald Ice'
Aeonium 'Emerald Ice' is a spontaneous variegate of Aeonium 'Party Platter'. It features a compact rosette and green leaves variegated with white.
Other Common Aeonium Hybrids
Aeonium 'Alice Keck Park'
Aeonium 'Alice Keck Park' is a hybrid of Aeonium canariense. It forms low growing rosettes that can reach up to 1.5 feet in diameter. The rosettes are green and tinged with orange on the tips. It is commonly mislabeled and sold as Aeonium canariense.
Aeonium 'Ballerina'
Aeonium 'Ballerina' is a variegated hybrid of unknown parentage. The parentage is believed to involve Aeonium goochiae or Aeonium canariense. Aeonium 'Ballerina' has slender leaves that are slightly scalloped on the edges. The leaves are covered in fine hairs, and variegated with white. The reverted form of this cultivar is sometimes sold as Aeonium 'Goblin'.
Aeonium 'Bronze Medal'
Aeonium 'Bronze Medal' is a hybrid of Aeonium sedifolium. The rosettes reach up to 2.5 inches in diameter and are a bronze color when grown in full sun. The leaves are thick and are often marked with red. The plant branches profusely.
Aeonium simsii x arboreum 'Zwartkop'
There are a few cultivars that stem from a cross between Aeonium simsii and Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'. All of these cultivars share a tendency to branch heavily. These cultivars all possess greenish leaves which are tipped with purple during the summer months.