About
Aeonium 'Black King Kong' is a compact, evergreen succulent subshrub that typically reaches a height of about 50 cm. It features a loose growth form and produces substantial rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves. When dormant, the leaves exhibit a dark red to black coloration, transitioning to shades of pink, green, purple, and white as the plant grows. Mature specimens can develop large heads that may bear spikes of small, pale yellow, star-shaped flowers during the summer months.
About the genus
Aeonium consists of evergreen succulents that typically grow in a shrubby form. They feature thick leaves arranged in rosettes at the tips of their branches. During blooming, these plants produce clusters of small, star-like flowers characterized by their slender petals.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Houseplants, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based compost with added extra grit. Position in a sunny spot for the best leaf colouration; aeonium will tolerate some shade but the leaves become green. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times during the growing season. In winter move plants to a frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 19-24ºC in spring or by cuttings of rosettes kept at 18ºC and barely moist until rooted
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil grubs and mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil grubs and mealybugs