Aeonium leucoblepharum striped leaves

Credit: Stephen Boisvert

Aeonium rose leucoblepharum

Credit: Cultivar413

Aeonium leucoblepharum in pot

Credit: Opuntia

Aeonium leucoblepharum branched

Credit: James Steakley

Yellow flowers Aeonium leucoblepharum

Credit: Opuntia

Aeonium leucoblepharum, an Aeonium from Africa

While many Aeoniums, such as aeonium canariense virgineum and aeonium haworthii, are native to the Canary Islands, Aeonium leucoblepharum comes from Eritrea, Somalia or Yemen. Before buying your own, find out where it comes from. The foliage differs from country to country.

How to recognize Aeonium leucoblepharum?

A succulent shrub with an upright habit, Aeonium leucoblepharum reaches a height of 75 cm and a spread of 55 cm.

Its highly branched brown stem measures up to two centimetres in diameter. Branches are drooping or creeping. Each branch bears a rosette of leaves at its tip.

The appearance of the foliage varies according to strain and location. Leaves are always thick, with serrated margins. But they can also be obovate or spatulate, and their apex can be more or less pointed. They are green with red margins in the Somali version, or brown or pink in specimens from Yemen. Some leaves have a red or brown line down the center.

Flowers with yellow petals appear in summer. They are grouped on a pyramid-shaped spike.

Aeonium leucoblepharum is not listed as a toxic plant for humans or animals. However, it is not edible. Ingestion of its leaves can cause vomiting, in cats for example.

Our maintenance tips

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

Elsewhere, it's best to opt for a pot culture and bring your Aeonium leucoblepharum 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 leucoblepharum hates wet foliage. You must not mist the plant.

Repotting

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

Aeonium leucoblepharum 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 leucoblepharum, 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 leucoblepharum 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 leucoblepharum. 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 leucoblepharum - Aeonium leucoblepharum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Calcareous earth Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Categories	Shrub Succulent
Tag	Fritillary
Origin	East Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10b
Leaf color
Flower color