What to Do When an Aeonium decaisnei (Sunburst aeonium) Drops Its Leaves

When an Aeonium decaisnei drops its leaves, it is generally caused by insufficient light, overwatering, or low temperatures and unsuitable soil. You can treat it by giving the Aeonium decaisnei more light, stopping watering, and improving ventilation. When temperatures are low in winter, you should also make sure to keep the Aeonium decaisnei warm, otherwise the leaves will be frostbitten and fall off.

1. Increase light

Aeonium decaisnei has a very high demand for light, and as the light changes, the leaf color will also keep changing. So keeping Aeonium decaisnei in a dark place for a long time will cause it to become leggy, with dull leaves or leaf drop. At this point, you should give the Aeonium decaisnei more light. Apart from shading it in summer, let it receive enough light in the other seasons.

2. Control watering

When an Aeonium decaisnei drops its leaves, it may be because of overwatering. At this point, you should stop watering, drain the excess water from the pot, and place the potted plant in a ventilated spot to speed up evaporation. If the roots have rotted, you need to take it out of the pot, cut off the rotten roots, change the soil, and replant it.

3. Keep it warm in winter

Aeonium decaisnei likes a warm climate and is not tolerant of severe cold. If the temperature is too low in winter, the leaves of Aeonium decaisnei will be frostbitten, and then fall off, seriously affecting the plant's growth. So in winter, you should keep Aeonium decaisnei in a warm environment of 15~25 degrees for growing.

4. Replace the potting soil

When an Aeonium decaisnei drops its leaves, it may also be a soil problem. Although Aeonium decaisnei does not have high soil requirements, it still needs soil with good air permeability and drainage to grow well. If the leaf drop of Aeonium decaisnei is caused by the soil, then you should replace it with sandy soil with good drainage and air permeability for planting.