Aeonium Kiwi

The Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is a stunning succulent known for its vibrant, colorful foliage. It features rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves that are variegated in shades of green, yellow, and red. The center of each rosette often appears in a deep, rich red, gradually blending into a lighter yellow and green towards the edges. This plant can bloom in summer, producing small, star-shaped flowers on tall stems. Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is popular in rock gardens, container gardens, and as a striking houseplant. It thrives in well-draining soil and requires plenty of sunlight to maintain its vivid colors. As with most succulents, it prefers a watering schedule that allows the soil to dry out between waterings.

Characteristics

Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is a striking succulent, known for its vibrant colors and unique growth patterns, making it a favorite among succulent collectors.

• Appearance: This succulent features rosettes of spoon-shaped leaves. The leaves form in layers, creating a tiered effect that adds to its ornamental appeal.

• Color: The leaves are a bright, variegated blend of green, yellow, and pink hues. The leaf margins are often lined with a vibrant red or pink, which becomes more pronounced with sun exposure.

• Size: A mature Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ typically reaches about 8 to 12 inches in both height and diameter. The plant tends to grow in a clumping manner, with multiple rosettes forming on branching stems.

• Flowers: It produces star-shaped, yellow flowers on tall stalks, usually in late spring or early summer. The flowering is a rare and visually pleasing spectacle.

Detailed Appearance

• Rosettes: The plant forms rosettes that can grow up to 8 inches in diameter. Each rosette comprises tightly packed leaves.
• Leaf Coloration: The most striking feature is the variegated leaves. The center of each rosette usually shows a deep, burgundy red. This intense color fades into a vibrant yellow and then transitions into a pale green at the outer edges. The intensity of the color can change based on the amount of sunlight the plant receives.
• Leaf Texture: The leaves are fleshy, with a smooth and waxy surface, typical of many succulents. This texture helps in water conservation, a crucial adaptation for survival in arid environments.

Growth Habit and Size

Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ tends to grow more in width than in height. An adult plant can spread out over several inches, forming a dense, colorful mat.

Flowering Characteristics

• Bloom Time: It typically blooms in the summer, although flowering is not guaranteed every year.
• Flower Appearance: The flowers are small, star-shaped, and grow in clusters on tall, thin stems that emerge from the center of the rosettes. The flowers are usually yellow or pale white, providing a soft contrast to the vivid foliage.

Comprehensive Care Guide

Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ requires specific care to maintain its health and vibrant colors.

Light Requirements

• Indoor Growing: Requires bright, indirect sunlight when grown indoors. A south or west-facing window is ideal.
• Outdoor Growing: Prefers partial sun to light shade. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little can cause the plant to lose its vibrant colors.

Watering and Humidity

• Watering Schedule: Water moderately during the growing season (spring and fall), allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in the summer and winter dormant periods.
• Humidity Needs: Does not require high humidity. It is quite tolerant of dry indoor environments.

Soil, Fertilization, and Potting

• Soil Requirements: Requires well-draining soil, such as a cactus or succulent mix. Ensuring proper drainage is vital to avoid root rot.
• Fertilization: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer), diluted to half the recommended strength.
• Repotting: Repot every two to three years or when the plant outgrows its container.

Temperature Tolerance

• Ideal Temperature Range: Prefers mild temperatures but can tolerate a range from 50°F to 75°F (10°C to 24°C).
• Cold Tolerance: It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected or brought indoors in freezing temperatures.

Propagation

• Easily propagated from stem cuttings or offsets. To propagate, cut a stem or remove an offset, let it dry for a few days to form a callous, then plant in well-draining soil.

Caring for Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ involves balancing sun exposure and water, ensuring it receives enough light for color development but not so much as to damage the leaves.

Landscaping and Decorative Uses

In Landscape Design

• Rock and Succulent Gardens: Its vibrant colors make it a standout in rock and succulent gardens.
• Ground Cover: Can be used as a low-growing ground cover in dry, sunny areas.

In Home Decor

• Indoor Plant Displays: Its compact size and ornamental appearance make it a popular choice for indoor plant displays, terrariums, or as a desk plant.
• Container Gardening: Ideal for mixed succulent container gardens, especially in terracotta or stone pots that complement its colorful foliage.

Aeonium Kiwi Video

Aeonium Kiwi Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Types of Aeonium

• Aeonium Nobile
• Aeonium Arboreum cv ‘Zwartkop’
• Aeonium Arboreum ‘Luteovariegatum’
• Aeonium decorum
• Aeonium hierrense
• Crested Aeonium Sunburst
• Aeonium lancerottense
• Aeonium goochiae
• Aeonium haworthii
• Aeonium arboreum var atropurpureum
• Aeonium Castello-Paivae
• Aeonium lindleyi
• Aeonium Cuneatum
• Aeonium canariense
• Aeonium undulatum
• Aeonium urbicum
• Aeonium gomerense
• Aeonium leucoblepharum
• Aeonium tabuliforme ‘Dinner Plate Aeonium’
• Aeonium ‘Cyclops’
• Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’
• Aeonium ‘Starburst’
• Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
• Aeonium Mascaense