Aeonium as a Low-Maintenance Bonsai

Aeonium is a genus of succulent plants belonging to the stonecrop family (lat. Crassulaceae). The homeland of Aeonium is the Canary Islands, two species grow in Madeira and a few species are native to Africa. Individual Aeonium species are very variable in appearance, some grow as single rosettes, others form multiple rosettes. Botanists recognize approximately 35 - 40 species of aeoniums. The most well-known are Aeonium spathulatum, Aeonium tabuliforme and Aeonium ciliatum.

Most Popular Aeonium Species

• Aeonium spathulatum is an endemic plant from the Canary Islands. It occurs only on the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro. In its homeland, it grows on dry rocks in forest areas, found at altitudes from 800 - 2000 m above sea level. It often appears on old walls and house roofs. Aeonium spathulatum is a succulent shrub approximately 20 - 60 cm tall. The shrub branches densely, the branches are thin and smooth. Leaves grow in rosettes at the end of each branch. Individual leaves are obovate-lanceolate, flat and finely hairy with translucent cilia on the margins. On the underside of the leaves are red stripes. In summer months, almost all leaves fall off. The flowers of Aeonium spathulatum are yellow, arranged in multiple upright inflorescences about 10 cm tall. In our conditions, this succulent blooms in spring. Growing this Aeonium species is very easy.

• Aeonium tabuliforme (Aeonium tabulaeforme) also comes from the Canary Islands, specifically from Tenerife. It occurs here primarily in the northern part of the island. It grows on shaded rocks and cliffs facing north and northwest. It can be found up to approximately 500 m above sea level. This plant forms a completely flat ground-level "plate" of densely compressed leaves. The rosette can reach up to 30 cm in diameter in nature, in our conditions it can be grown to approximately 10 - 15 cm. The leaves are ciliate on the margin, diamond-shaped in the upper part, and significantly narrowed in the lower part. Flowers grow on 15 - 40 cm tall inflorescences. Individual flowers have 7-9 parts, the corolla petals are light yellow in color. Flowers appear on the plant from May to August. After flowering, this Aeonium species very often dies, however it leaves behind several offsets and plenty of seeds, so you won't lose the plant. Aeonium tabuliforme is very attractive in appearance, which makes it a highly sought-after species.

• Aeonium ciliatum is another endemic aeonium species from the Canary Islands, found only on the island of Tenerife, where it grows at altitudes of 200 - 1000 m above sea level. The plant can grow up to 1 meter in height, but in our conditions it remains much smaller. The leaves are arranged in a rosette. The leaves are obovate in shape. Their color can range from dark green to yellow-green depending on the amount of sunlight. The leaf margins are covered with straight or slightly curved cilia. The flowers grow on a branched stem. The flowers are white in color.

Growing Aeonium

Aeoniums can be grown without problems as houseplants. Aeoniums require a sunny location all year round, only in summer shade them slightly or move them to a location where direct midday sun rays won't hit the plant. Harsh sun could burn the leaves. Given their homeland, it's clear that aeonium requires a warm location, it survives well even at room temperature of around 20 °C. In winter, reduce the temperature to 10 - 15 °C. However, the plant constantly needs sufficient light. Water aeonium moderately, in winter reduce watering even more. Waterlogging could lead to root rot and destruction of the entire plant. Watering over the leaves is also dangerous, because if water gets into the center of the leaf rosette (especially with some species), rot can easily occur. Therefore, always water into the pot or into the saucer (bottom watering). In excessive drought, the leaves may begin to wrinkle - if you notice this on your plant, give it more water during the growing season. Aeonium doesn't grow in winter, so watering could lead to rot. These plants appreciate dry air. During the growing season, you can occasionally fertilize aeoniums with fertilizer for cacti and succulents, but this isn't essential. Aeoniums are repotted in spring if they no longer fit in the pot. For most aeonium species, shallow clay bowls are more suitable, as they are more stable than plastic pots. Aeoniums also look much better in them. A suitable substrate is clay-sandy soil or specifically soil for cacti and succulents. After repotting, don't water the plants for at least 2 weeks, so that the small wounds you caused to the roots during repotting have time to heal. Aeoniums greatly appreciate a summer stay in fresh air or in a greenhouse.

However, don't forget to bring them in before frost arrives. Aeoniums are not frost-resistant.

You can obtain your first aeonium plants by sowing seeds. The process is the same as with other cacti and succulents. Sow the seeds in spring into well-draining, preferably sterilized substrate. Spread the seeds on the surface of the soil, do not cover them. Place the sowing in a bright location, maintain constant moisture and temperature. After the seedlings emerge, do not let the substrate dry out completely, the plants need sufficient moisture for their development. As with mature plants, water them preferably from below. When the seedlings are large enough, transplant them into suitable pots. With many species, you can obtain additional aeonium plants by cutting part of the stem and rooting it.

Aeonium as Succulent Bonsai

Succulent bonsai may not quite match their true counterparts, but they have numerous advantages over them. The main one is that you don't have to wait decades for the plant to develop its characteristic bonsai shape. You can shape an impressive bonsai from succulent plants in just a few years. If your pruning doesn't work out, nothing is lost – succulents grow back quickly, so you can make corrections soon. Succulents are very undemanding and resilient. They can easily tolerate longer periods without watering, which is another undeniable advantage over classic bonsai, which you must water regularly. Grow succulents, including aeonium, that you want to shape as bonsai the same way as others, only don't fertilize them and give them less water. Fertilizing would unnecessarily encourage plant growth, which would be contrary to your intention to make a bonsai from it. Don't be afraid of shaping, plants can tolerate a lot. Prune only during the growing season. Keep in mind that not all succulents (aeoniums) are suitable for shaping. You will hardly make a bonsai from Aeonium tabuliforme – don't prune its ground-level rosette.

What Not to Forget When Growing Aeonium?

• Less water is sometimes more - don't overwater aeonium, but occasionally give it a thorough watering.

• Always water aeonium from below - water trapped in the center of the rosette could cause rotting.

• The more sun, the more beautifully aeoniums are colored - beware of direct midday sun, it could burn the plant.

• In winter, reduce temperature and don't fertilize, but aim for maximum light.

• The plant is not frost-resistant - move it to safety before frosts arrive.

• After transplanting, don't water aeonium for at least 2 weeks - this will prevent rotting of damaged roots.

• Don't fertilize succulent bonsai.

• Prune only during the growing season.