Spring/Fall Types

Aeonium haworthii “Tricolor”

 

Characteristics of Tricolor

This variety comes from the Canary Islands off the northwestern coast of the African continent. These arid islands have a warm climate with temperatures around 59F/15C to 77F/25C. The leaves of Tricolor Aeonium are not very thick, and the slender stems can grow to a height of 20 inches (50 cm) or more. These plants produce several stems that grow up from their bases. If you expose your succulent to a lot of sunlight, its leaves will change into beautiful colors during the winter.

Points to Check when Buying

The stems grow easily, so short, energetic seedlings with their leaves unfolded are best. Avoid seedlings where the stems are stretched too tall.

Soil Composition

Mix 5 parts small-grain Akadama, 3 parts Kanuma soil, and 2 parts mulch for a ratio that has good drainage, water retention, and breathability. Add a layer of gravel like large-grain Akadama or pumice to the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizer

When you transplant a succulent, add a layer of granular base fertilizer on top of the layer of gravel.

How to Transplant

If the plant becomes root bound, pull it out from its pot, massage about ⅔ of the old soil from the roots, and transfer it to fresh soil. Begin watering after about 4–5 days.

Pour in the slightly dampened new soil. When you have finished transplanting, lightly tap the pot to level the soil and place the plant in partial shade to take root.

How to Propagate

There will be many side stems, so cut off one that has leaves attached, let the cut end dry for several days, and then insert your new cutting into soil. Keep the soil slightly damp to encourage your plant to take root.

Leaf Cutting

Place the leaf you removed from the succulent stem on the surface of dampened soil, and after about 10 days the leaf will begin to take root and sprout. When your new plant has grown 4 or 5 leaves, pull it from the soil, taking care not to injure the roots, and transplant it.

Stem Cutting

Let the cut end of the branch dry out for 4–5 days, and then insert the branch into soil. During the first half month until the plant takes root, keep the soil constantly damp and leave the plant in partial shade. After the plant has taken root, you can care for it as usual.

 

Key Points for Growing Tricolor

Expose your plant to lots of sunlight outdoors during spring and fall. This variety does poorly against heat and high humidity and will become weaker as summer approaches, so move your succulent to partial shade and water it less frequently until summer ends. On the other hand, this species is strong against the cold and will keep growing during winter, but bring it inside at night to prevent it from freezing or developing frost. Be careful not to overwater during summer or winter. Among the plants in the Aeonium genus, A. haworthii “Tricolor” and A. arboreum “Zwartkop” are especially robust.

Cultivation Calendar

Succulent Advice Q&A

Q My plant lost its leaves and started drooping in summer!

A When summer arrives, the plant is going to grow weaker no matter what, so this is no particular cause for concern. Move the plant to a well-ventilated area in partial shade and water it less frequently. Water during the morning or evening instead of midday in the heat. When fall comes and the temperature cools down, your succulent will revive and return to its usual active state.

Tricolor after the leaves have changed colors

When a cold wave hits, the leaves are dyed a slight crimson.

Members of the Aeonium Genus

A. “Lemonade”

A. tabuliforme ※ Semi-dormant during summer

A. “Sunburst”

A. dodrantale ※ Dormant during summer

A. castello-paivae variegata “Suncup”

A. arboreum “Zwartkop”