About

Aeonium arboreum, the houseleek tree, is a sparsely branched, architectural succulent subshrub growing to around 1.5 metres tall. Each branch is tipped with a bold terminal rosette of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves, and in spring mature rosettes produce impressive, conical, branching sprays of small yellow flowers. One of the most familiar and widely grown aeoniums, available in green-leaved and deep-purple-leaved forms.

About the genus

Aeonium are evergreen succulent subshrubs and perennials, native mainly to the Canary Islands and the Macaronesian region, with fleshy leaves arranged in terminal rosettes on their stems. Racemes or panicles of small, star-shaped flowers with many narrow petals are borne from mature rosettes, after which the flowering rosette dies. They are grown primarily for their bold, architectural form and often richly coloured foliage.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C

Plant details

Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Sub-tropical, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toGran Canaria

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 19-24°C in spring or by cuttings of rosettes kept at 18°C and barely moist until rooted
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free
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