Aeonium WEBBII

Aeonium WEBBII - Webb's aeonium, Aeonium webbii, Aeonium GORGONEUM, Gorgon aeonium.

Aeonium is a large genus of succulents developing as compact shrubs or herbaceous crops. The genus includes about 40 perennial, very ornamental indoor plants from the family Crassulaceae. These are true long-lived plants that are brought into room interiors for decades. As with all succulents, aeonium is characterized by fleshy, water-storing leaves and shoots. The stems are sturdy, erect, branching or growing singly, gradually becoming woody and sporting marks from fallen old leaves resembling scars. In some aeonium species, spectacular aerial roots form. The height of these plants ranges from a modest 10-15 cm (4-6 in) to almost 1 m (3.3 ft). At the same time, in different species the stems can be either pronounced, resembling woody plants, or almost entirely hidden under squat rosettes of leaves.

The fleshy leaves are always sessile, tapering towards the base, in shape resembling petals or rhombuses. Sparse pubescence or an absolute glossy surface is combined with margins decorated with fine white cilia or small denticles. The leaves gather into very dense, flower-like rosettes, arranged imbricately and patterned. The rosettes range in diameter from a few centimeters to almost 1 m (3.3 ft), but are always located at the ends of stems. Leaf coloration varies from usual light green to various reddish, brownish, and purple hues, most often distributed unevenly across the leaf blade. In indoor conditions, aeonium blooms very rarely. Pyramidal inflorescence racemes of bright yellow color are very spectacular and last long. But the lack of flowering also has its upside: species that form a single solitary leaf rosette most often die after flowering.

Webb's aeonium is a profusely branching perennial shrub up to 2 m (6.6 ft) in height. It is endemic to Cape Verde. It grows on the islands of Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, and Sao Nicolau at elevations of 400 to 1100 m (1312 to 3609 ft). The species was first described by Johann Schmidt in 1852. It plays an important role in folk medicine for treating coughs.

By seeds year-round in a sandy substrate. Seeds are sown superficially, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Special notes: Seeds are small!

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In winter, cool maintenance is desirable. At low air humidity, the plant can withstand a fairly significant drop in temperature. During the rest of the time, normal room air temperature is required. The plants require a sunny location all year round, only needing shading from the brightest sun rays. In winter, they should be kept in a very well-lit place, which helps maintain leaf coloration.

During growth, water as the soil dries out. During the winter dormant period, watering intensity is reduced. Water stagnation, which should be avoided even in summer, is even more dangerous during the cold season; it can cause rot and lead to the death of the plant. In spring and autumn, feed every 2 weeks with cactus fertilizer. Repotting is carried out in spring or autumn once every 2 years. Use soil consisting of 1/3 peat, 1/3 fertile soil, and 1/3 sand, pH around 6.5. Damaged parts and faded inflorescences must be removed.