Noble aeonium Aeonium nobile

Water

Noble Aeonium requires moderate watering, usually about once a week during active growth periods in spring and autumn. During the summer, it's crucial to allow the soil to dry out before watering again, which might mean watering less frequently, such as every other week. When you do water, provide enough to soak the soil thoroughly, equivalent to around 0.5 gallons for a medium-sized pot. It's important to reduce watering in the winter months to prevent root rot, possibly watering as little as once a month. Always use well-draining soil to ensure excess water can escape and avoid watering directly into the rosette of leaves to prevent rot.

Light

Noble Aeonium thrives in bright but indirect light. It is best placed in a location that receives several hours of morning sunlight but is shielded from the harsh afternoon rays, such as an east-facing window. If grown outdoors, a spot with dappled shade is ideal to prevent sunburn on the leaves.

Temperature

Noble Aeonium prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ideally between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate minimum temperatures of around 40 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost. Extreme heat above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can cause stress to the plant, and it may enter dormancy if consistently subjected to higher temperatures.

Pruning

Noble Aeonium benefits from pruning to remove any dead or damaged leaves and to maintain its shape. The best time to prune is in the autumn, after the active summer growth period. Pruning can be done annually or biannually, depending on the plant's growth rate and appearance. Always use clean, sharp scissors or secateurs to make precise cuts.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Noble Aeonium prefers well-draining soil with a gritty mix, such as a cactus or succulent blend, with a pH around 6.0 to 7.5. Adding perlite or coarse sand to increase drainage is beneficial.

Repotting

Noble Aeonium should be repotted every two to three years or when it outgrows its current pot, with the best time for repotting being the plant's dormant season.

Humidity & Misting

Noble Aeonium thrives best in low to moderate humidity levels, typical of arid environments, as too much humidity can promote rot.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Noble Aeonium where it can receive plenty of sunlight, like a south-facing window.

• Outdoor

  Grow Noble Aeonium in a sunny spot, sheltered from extreme weather.

• Hardiness zone

  9-11 USDA

Life cycle

Aeonium nobile, commonly known as Noble Aeonium, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in well-draining soil with adequate sunlight and minimal moisture. The seedling emerges with a rosette of succulent leaves and enters a vegetative growth phase, gradually developing a sturdy stem and forming a larger, sculptural rosette as it matures. During this stage, it stores water and nutrients in its thick, fleshy leaves to help it survive arid conditions. When the Noble Aeonium reaches maturity after several years, it produces a flowering spike adorned with bright yellow flowers, indicating the reproductive phase. After flowering, which often results in the death of the flowering rosette, the plant continues to propagate itself by producing offsets or "pups" around the base of the parent plant. These offsets can then be separated from the parent to start new individuals, thus perpetuating the Noble Aeonium's lifecycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• For Aeonium nobile, commonly known as Noble Aeonium, the most popular method of propagation is through stem cuttings. The ideal time for this is during the plant's active growing season, typically from spring to early summer. To propagate, a healthy stem should be selected and cut using a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors. The cut should be made just below a leaf node, and the cutting should be about 2 to 4 inches long (5 to 10 centimeters). The leafy top is retained, but any lower leaves are removed to expose a portion of the stem that will be inserted into the soil. The cutting should then be allowed to callous over for a few days to reduce the risk of rot when planted. Once calloused, the cutting is planted in well-draining soil, watered sparingly until roots develop, and then gradually introduced to regular watering as the new plant establishes itself.