Tree houseleek (aeonium) Aeonium arboreum
Tree houseleek (aeonium) (Aeonium arboreum) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Crassulaceae family, native to Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Tree houseleek (aeonium) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Gran Canaria, Canary Islands |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Tree houseleek (aeonium) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Tree houseleek (aeonium)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Tree houseleek (aeonium)
- How far apart should I plant Tree houseleek (aeonium)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Tree houseleek (aeonium) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tree houseleek (aeonium) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Tree houseleek (aeonium)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Tree houseleek (aeonium) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 4–7 weeks.
- Is Tree houseleek (aeonium) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Tree houseleek (aeonium)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tree houseleek (aeonium). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- In frosty climates it is a classic pot plant for a bright windowsill, put outside in summer.
- Flat, glossy rosettes like green (or, in ‘Zwartkop’, near-black) flowers at the ends of branching stems. Grows in the cool, wet season and rests in summer, when the rosettes close up; a rosette that flowers yellow then dies.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Jade plant Crassula ovata
- Mexican snowball (echeveria) Echeveria elegans
- Common houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
- Roseroot Rhodiola rosea
- Ghost plant (mother-of-pearl plant) Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Moonstones (sugared almond plant) Pachyphytum oviferum
- Burro’s tail (donkey’s tail) Sedum morganianum