Causes and solutions for Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' dropping leaves

If the leaves of Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' start to slowly dry up and fall off from the layer below the leaf rosette, while new leaves keep growing on top, this state is completely normal and nothing to worry about. But the following situations of leaf drop do need every grower's attention.

What's going on when Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' drops leaves

1. The leaves are not dried up; instead, whole fresh, plump leaves fall off. Usually, reducing the amount of water given will improve things. With this type of leaf drop, if the leaves start falling in a ring below the leaf rosette, it's not a big problem - my own plant often drops leaves this way. But if the leaves start falling from the middle of the rosette, you need to pay attention and watch carefully whether the base of the leaves has rotted. This type of leaf drop is very likely caused by a rotting core.

2. The leaves really are dried up as I described above, but they have all fallen off! Yes! You read that right - completely fallen off! At this point you must focus on helping the plant recover. This situation usually appears during the dormant period, especially in summer. Some plants can recover after summer, but many just die. This is basically because they got too much sun during the dormant period. Pay attention to shading, ventilation and light sprinkling of water - it might be saved. The plant of mine below passed away exactly like this.

3. The leaves start falling from the middle. This situation is more complicated. If whole leaves keep falling off one after another, be sure to check whether water has collected in the center of the leaf rosette and rotted the core. If the leaves are only partly dried or just a small spot, it may be because you were careless when watering and got water on the leaf surface - when the sun hits it, the magnifying-glass effect burns it. Some leaves are at the edge of the pot and get scorched by the hot pot.

4. The leaves split open along the longitudinal axis. This situation is seen in hybrid varieties with relatively thick leaves. It's not a big problem and needs no special treatment.

Care and management of Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop' through the four seasons

I. Summer care

In summer, when temperatures are high, the plant has a brief dormant period. At this time growth slows or stops completely. It can be placed in a well-ventilated spot for care, avoiding prolonged rain, with a little shading, restricted watering and no excessive fertilizing.

II. Spring and autumn care

Spring, autumn and early summer are the plant's main growing seasons, and it should be given plenty of sunlight. Although it can also grow in partial shade, the area near the growing point will turn dark green, and the black-purple color of the leaves in other parts will also fade to light brown, affecting its ornamental value. In addition, excessive nitrogen fertilizer in the soil and overly vigorous growth of the plant can also cause this phenomenon. Therefore, keeping the potting soil slightly drier and letting the plant grow a little slower will actually give better results.