How to Grow and Care for Mountain Roses (Greenovia)

The Family and Genus of the Mountain Rose

Mountain rose, Crassulaceae family, Aeonium genus. It was originally classified as its own separate genus, Greenovia, but was later merged into the genus Aeonium.

Alternative Names for the Mountain Rose

The mountain rose is also called the alpine rose or mountain rose.

The Distribution Range of the Mountain Rose

The mountain rose is mostly distributed across the Canary Islands and nearby islands such as Gran Canaria, Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma, growing in rock crevices in the coniferous forest zone on north-facing slopes at an altitude of 1000-1900m.

The mountain rose is also found on the southern high island of Tenerife, on north-facing slopes at an altitude of 950m, as well as in coniferous forests at an altitude of around 650m on the northern side of La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera.

The Morphological Characteristics of the Mountain Rose

The mountain rose has fleshy leaves that are alternate and arranged in a rosette pattern. Different varieties have different plant sizes, ranging from 2 cm to 40 cm.

The mountain rose varies in leaf color, including grayish-green, blue-green or emerald green. During its dormant period, to avoid strong light, the outer leaves wither and the leaves in the center wrap up, forming a shape that closely resembles a rosebud about to bloom, which is very eye-catching.

The mountain rose blooms from early spring to early summer, with racemose inflorescences and yellow flowers. One peculiar trait is that after flowering and the seeds mature, the mother plant gradually withers, while new shoots grow from the base at the same time.