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| Aeonium urbicum rosette S. Reeve |
This species is solitary and often has tall unbranched stems. Many Aeoniums, like the ever-popular Aeonium arborescens branch and form shrub-like plants. This one does not. Mine has not developed a sizable stem yet, so I am wondering if this could be a hybrid of some other species? The stem is only 6 inches, but it is only a year in the ground. It was sold as Aeonium urbicum. My plant is also offsetting smaller rosettes at the ground, and Aeonium urbicum is not supposed to offset, so it looks like this could be a hybrid. My plant is offsetting at the base and it looks like it will form a dense colony of rosettes.
This lovely plant is monocarpic and will die after flowering. It generally takes from 3-13 years for a flowering event to occur. When it blooms it produces a tower of many small flowers favored by bees. According to a study I read, this plant averages around 1,600 flowers per inflorescence. This species has one of the larger inflorescences of all of the Aeoniums. Polycarpic Aeoniums that do not die after flowering tends to have smaller inflorescences. It is a magnificent final act of flowering for Aeonium urbicum. This large flowering stalk comes at an energetic premium as the plant gives all of its resources to complete the event, and dies shortly afterward. It is thought that large inflorescences evolved in insect-poor areas to ensure pollination. Thankfully my plant is already offsetting so I do not have to worry about losing this plant if it does flower. The root system is made of fine hair-like roots as the plant itself serves as water storage.
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| Aeonium urbicum Inflorescense Annie's Annuals |
Right now, at Christmas, Aeoniums come into their glory and their rosettes grow to maximum size. During this time stems grow too if it is a stem-forming Aeonium. In the summer the rosettes remain but shrink in size in response to summer drought. The rosette leaves curl in toward the center forming a ball-like shape. In the summer, leaves along the stem are lost leaving leaf scars along the stem. If you continue to supply them water, they shrink less, but they do cease growing and go dormant. They love water but need good drainage. They can also be drought-tolerant, especially if they get some shade, but look better with regular water. It is really an adaptable plant. Aeoniums do best at the coast where it doesn't get very hot but can do fine a little inland if they get water and shade. They will not tolerate frost.
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| Aeonium urbicum, Aeonium arborescens, Echeveria 'Cielo', Sedum adolphii 'Firestorm', Hesperaloe 'Brake Lights, and Salvia 'Royal Bumble' S. Reeve
I love this green Aeonium as it combines well with other succulents and provides a restful large green space in the composition. I have it growing with Echeveria 'Cielo' which also likes a good bit of water. Another reason to like this plant is it grows densely making weed germination impossible. Attractive red edges show up on the leaves at times of stress, especially in full sun. This Echeveria can stand full sun and also a fair bit of shade and do well in either situation. I have never seen pests on it. It looks clean, green, and refreshing.
If the long stalks bother you, you can cut off the rosette head and that will root for you if given soil contact. For those with freezing temperatures, this plant grows well in pots, so you can bring it in during the winter. Keep an eye out for pests when it comes inside, as it will be understandably stressed and prone to infestation. I don't fertilize but rely on the break down of mulch to supply what the plant needs. My dinner plate Aeonium is a great Christmas gift in the garden.
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