Alternative and Elegant Names for the Black Aeonium

Common names of the Black Aeonium

The Black Aeonium is commonly known as the purple-leaf houseleek.

Habits of the Black Aeonium

The Black Aeonium is a succulent in the Crassulaceae family, genus Aeonium, and winter is its vigorous growing season.

The Black Aeonium is native to Morocco and prefers a warm, dry, sunny environment. Its most suitable growing temperature is 20~25°C.

The Black Aeonium is a "winter-growing type"; it tolerates drought and partial shade, is not cold-tolerant, and needs sufficient light to grow. In a sunny, well-ventilated environment, the Black Aeonium naturally grows into multiple heads in spring; otherwise, the leaves turn green.

The Black Aeonium fears a hot, humid environment. Water once every 2 weeks and ensure sufficient light, but avoid direct strong light.

The common home propagation method is cuttings.

Care tips for the Black Aeonium

Watering: under normal growth, water the Black Aeonium once every 2 weeks, keeping the potting soil slightly moist; if the potting soil is too wet, it very easily causes leggy stems and leaves. In a hot, humid summer environment, the Black Aeonium goes dormant; when the indoor temperature is low in winter, watering should not be excessive either, just keep the potting soil slightly moist.

Fertilizing: fertilize once a month, using diluted cake fertilizer water or a special succulent fertilizer; if too much fertilizer is applied, water promptly to avoid causing leggy leaves and plant aging.

Repotting: repot every year in early spring. When repotting, cut off the dead leaves at the base of the plant and overly long fibrous roots. Use a potting soil mixed with leaf mold, culture soil, and coarse sand, adding a small amount of bone meal or organic fertilizer.

Sunlight: in midsummer, place the plant in partial shade. In winter, sufficient light is required; rotate the pot regularly to ensure even light exposure, so the plant body does not bend.

Pests and diseases: common pests and diseases include leaf spot disease and black weevil, which seriously affect the Black Aeonium's ornamental value. Once found, remove the diseased leaves immediately and spray with a pesticide.

Propagation methods for the Black Aeonium

Cuttings: in a sunny environment, many offsets grow around the mother plant; cut off the offsets and insert them into soil. They will root after 3~4 weeks.

Suggested planting combinations: Crassula mesembryanthemoides, Aeonium 'Sunburst'.