Fat plant Aeonium virgineum

Credit: Consultaplantas

Leaf rosette Aeonium canariense virgineum

Credit: Jardin botanique de Barcelone

Aeonium virgineum in flower

Credit: AndyScott

Flowers Aeonium virgineum

Credit: Adam Jenkins

Aeonium canariense subsp. virgineum, an Aeonium with delicate foliage

Aeonium canariense subsp. Virgineum grows in the Canary archipelago, north and northwest of Gran Canaria. This member of the Crassulaceae family is distinguished by its delicate, almond-green, velvety foliage.

How to recognize Aeonium canariense subsp. Virgineum?

A succulent plant with a flared habit, Aeonium virgineum grows to no more than 20 centimetres in height and 50 centimetres in diameter.

At first glance, Aeonium canariense virgineum appears acaule. The rosette of leaves actually grows on a short, unbranched stem.

The spatulate leaves are covered with down and bloom. Almond-green, the foliage turns red in bright light.

Aeonium canariense virgineum flowers in summer. The inflorescence is smaller than that of aeonium canariense. It measures just 45 centimetres high and 15 centimetres wide. Conical in shape, it shelters flowers with pale yellow petals.

Aeonium virgineum is non-toxic. You can handle it without gloves and grow it without fear, even if you live with young children or pets.

Our maintenance tips

If you live in a frost-free region, you can plant your Aeonium canariense virgineum in the ground, provided the soil remains dry.

Elsewhere, it's best to opt for a pot culture and bring your Aeonium canariense virgineum into your conservatory or living room when temperatures drop. The good news is that it's in winter, when the plant is growing, that it reveals all its beauty!

Watering

When it's very hot, your plant needs to be watered accordingly, as it goes into vegetative mode to protect itself.

Aeonium canariense virgineum are the enemy of excess water. Before giving your specimen a drink, always make sure the soil is at least five centimetres dry.

Like many plants, the plant prefers rainwater. But it's fine with tap water. Just make sure it's at room temperature.

Remove any water stagnating in the cup under the pot. It can rot the roots.

Do not water during this period.

Spray

Your aeonium canariense virgineum hates wet foliage. You must not mist the plant.

Repotting

Re-pot your Aeonium canariense virgineum in a pierced pot. Line the bottom with pebbles or clay balls to improve drainage.

Aeonium canariense virgineum appreciate well-drained soil. You can use a substrate for cacti and succulents, or mix garden soil with river sand.

Pour a little potting soil into the pot and plant your specimen. Don't hesitate to push in the stem a third of the way up. This way, the plant will be more stable and produce more roots. Fill with potting soil and press down to remove air bubbles.

Prune

To encourage the growth of your Aeonium canariense virgineum, prune regularly.

Remove dried leaves.

Cut back flower stems when flowers have wilted. If you use a tool, make sure it's clean and sharp.

Plantation

Choose a sunny, well-drained location, such as the top of a slope or embankment.

Dig a hole two to three times larger than the root ball. Place pebbles at the bottom to improve drainage.

Plant your Aeonium canariense virgineum and backfill. If your soil is heavy, mix it with river sand. Tamp down to remove air bubbles.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Remove a shoot. Use a clean, sharp knife if necessary.

Leave the young shoot to dry for 24 to 48 hours, until it has healed.

Prepare a perforated pot. Place clay balls or pebbles in the bottom for drainage. Then fill with a light substrate, such as potting soil for cacti and succulents. Use a pencil or pick to make a hole.

Plant your Aeonium canariense virgineum. Bury the stem about a third of the way up. This way, your plant will form more roots and be more stable. But don't bury the leaves! Place your cutting in a bright room with a temperature of between 15 and 18°.

Wait a few weeks before watering, to allow the roots to form.

Disease / Threat

Mealybug, accompanied by ants for its honeydew.

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Crassulaceae - Crassulaceae
Type	Aeonium - Aeonium
Species	Canary Aeonium - Aeonium canariense
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Category	Succulent
Tag	Fritillary
Origin	Southern Europe
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower color