Aeonium arboreum is a popular succulent known for its unique “candelabra” growth habit, where long, woody stems are topped with perfect rosettes of waxy leaves. Unlike many other succulents that stay low to the ground, this species grows upwards into a small shrub, typically reaching 60cm to 1 metre in height.
In an “assorted” collection, you will usually find a mix of cultivars ranging from the classic bright green to dramatic bronze and near-black varieties. They are particularly loved in Australian gardens for their architectural form and their ability to produce large, conical clusters of bright yellow flowers in late winter and spring. A quirk of Aeoniums is that they are winter growers and often go dormant during the heat of the Australian summer to conserve moisture.
Care Tips
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Position: Prefers full sun to part shade. In Australia, while they love the light, they benefit from some protection from the searing afternoon sun in mid-summer to prevent leaf scorch.
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Climate: Thrives in Mediterranean, Temperate, and Subtropical climates. They are frost-tender; if you live in a frost-prone area, keep them in pots that can be moved under cover during winter.
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Soil: Must be planted in a gritty, free-draining succulent mix. They do not like sitting in heavy, damp soil, which can quickly lead to stem rot.
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Watering: Because they grow in winter, they appreciate more regular water during the cooler months. Reduce watering significantly in summer when the plant is dormant. If the rosettes close up tightly in summer, it is a sign the plant is protecting itself from the heat.
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Fertilising: Apply a half-strength liquid fertiliser designed for succulents once or twice during the autumn and spring growing periods.
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Pruning & Propagation: If a stem becomes too “leggy”, you can simply snip the head off (leaving about 5–10cm of stem), let it dry for a few days to callouse, and then plant it directly into the soil. The original stem will usually sprout multiple new rosettes.
