Aeonium cuneatum flowers

Credit: Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY

Aeonium cuneatum leaves

Credit: Diego Alex

Aeonium cuneatum fruit

Credit: adrien royer

Aeonium cuneatum in flower

Credit: Sylvain Piry

Aeonium cuneatum

Credit: anna_485

Aeonium cuneatum, a flowering fat plant

Aeonium cuneatum grows on the edge of the Tenerife archipelago. A member of the Crassulaceae family, it is distinguished by the color of its leaves and its giant flowers.

How to recognize Aeonium cuneatum?

Aeonium cuneatum is an upright succulent. Larger than aeonium haworthii, it can reach a meter in height and 50 centimeters in diameter.

The short stem disappears beneath a rosette of upright leaves.

The thick, fleshy, spatulate leaves are between five and ten centimetres long. Dark green, they take on a bluish hue when grown in optimal conditions. Their color is enhanced by the silvery bloom that covers them.

The flowers appear on a forty-centimeter flowering spike. The pale yellow flowers are grouped in a conical spike.

Like many succulents, Aeonium cuneatum is non-toxic. It presents no danger to humans or domestic animals in the event of contact or ingestion.

Our maintenance tips

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

Elsewhere, it's best to opt for a pot culture and bring your Aeonium cuneatum 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.

Check that the substrate is dry to the depth of five centimeters before watering. If your plant is thirsty, water with cold or lukewarm water. It's best to use rainwater to provide nutrients. If you don't have any, use mains water.

Empty any stagnant water from the dish to prevent root rot.

Do not water during this period.

Spray

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

Repotting

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

Aeonium cuneatum 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 cuneatum, 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 cuneatum 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.

The mother plant produces shoots. Separate them with a clean knife. Leave to dry for 24 to 48 hours in the open air, until a wedge forms at the base.

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 cuneatum. 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	Aeonium cuneatum - Aeonium cuneatum
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
Tags	Beginner Flowery
Origin	Southern Europe
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower color