Aeonium, with its colours, graphic rosettes and tall stem habit, is one of the most beautiful succulents for anyone who loves exotic plants. Obtaining new specimens to complete a collection of pots or to give as gifts is fairly easy. We explain everything in this tutorial.
Why propagate Aeonium?
I would say that with Aeonium, which are sensitive and can die without warning during very wet and/or cold winters, it is always useful to have a few spare plants to hand to replace any winter losses. It is also a quite fragile succulent that can suddenly be reduced to nothing by a gust of wind. Older plants also tend to become bare, growing up on their long stems, so cultivating a new, lower and compact Aeonium is desirable.
Beyond that, and as always with vegetative propagation, you can keep plants true to the parent plant, and give them away to friends and family for everyone’s enjoyment!
When to propagate an Aeonium?
Ideally carry out propagation in spring or autumn, periods that are always favourable for various cuttings and propagations, although this succulent can root well at any time of year if good conditions are provided at the time of propagation. March to May are particularly suitable months for Aeonium, which remains a fragile plant.
How to propagate an Aeonium?
Multiplication is mainly by propagation by cuttings of stems, the simplest method to carry out and offering a higher success rate. Seed sowing is still possible, but more uncertain and longer.
Equipment
- a mix of cactus and succulent potting mix (or, if unavailable, 50% potting compost and 50% sand, perlite or vermiculite).
- several small but deep pots (such as peony growing pots).
- pruning shear.
- watering can.
1- Using a disinfected pruning shear, take a portion of stem that has not flowered, about 10 cm long, with its rosette at the tip;
2- Leave the stem to dry for 4–5 days in the open air, until a callus forms on the cut end. This prevents rot once in the mix;
3- Fill the pots with the well‑draining potting mix;
4- Plant the stem directly into the mix, burying it halfway; you can plant up to three stems per pot depending on pot diameter;
5- Firm the mix lightly around the stem to ensure good contact with the medium;
6- Water preferably with rainwater or demineralised water;
7- Place the pot indoors near a window that does not receive direct sun, or under shelter outdoors (at a temperature between 18°C and 20°C);
8- Watering should be almost nil in the following days: the mix must remain nearly dry.
And afterwards?
Water sparingly in the following months: the root system will develop completely after about four months. You can then transplant the new Aeonium into its final growing pot (or into the garden in warm regions).
My tips
Preparing the planting mix is crucial, because much of the success of propagation depends on it, along with proper watering management.
Leaf propagation is also used with Aeonium; it is more delicate and slower, but of course still possible for those who want to try different techniques!
Comments