Aeonium simsii

RHS Plant Profile

Sims aeonium

Synonyms

Aeonium caespitosum

Houseplants Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

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A low-growing, branching, evergreen succulent to 20cm tall forming dense cushions of small rosettes. Each rosette has strap-shaped, fleshy green leaves with pointed tips and margins edged with translucent hairs; leaves may become tinged with red in bright light. In spring, flat-topped clusters of small, yellow flowers are borne on red stems above the rosettes

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Aeonium are evergreen succulents often of shrubby habit, with fleshy leaves in terminal rosettes on the shoots, and racemes or panicles of small, star-shaped flowers with numerous narrow petals
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Canary Islands

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based compost with added extra grit. Position in a sunny spot for the best leaf colouration; aeonium will tolerate some shade but the leaves become green. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times during the growing season. In winter move plants to a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or take rosette stem-tip softwood cuttings in early summer; wait until calluses have formed, then insert in sandy compost and in moderate light at 18°C, and keep just moist until rooted

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free