Aeonium arboreum leaves dropping! How have I failed this plant?

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by Bluebell Q, Jan 23, 2025 at 7:27 PM.

  1. Bluebell Q

    Bluebell Q Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi All, I have recently embarked on my journey as a houseplant-owner. I purchased this Aeonium arboreum a few months ago, and it has started to drop healthy green petals, now which are slightly tinged with black and soon it will have no petals left! This is a real shame as it was a lovely specimen, and I am have never owned an aeonium before. I have tried placing it in moderate light, then on a windowsill for more light, and in the last week I have begun to put it outside on the doorstep when it is sunny so it gets a good bathe in rays. However it is looking more and more unhealthy and it will soon be little more than a stick.

    I have given it a little water since it has come to me, the soil feels rock solid (I’m not sure what its former owner potted it in) and the container it is potted in is pretty small too.
    Can anyone tell me how to rescue what was once a lovely little plant please?
     

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  2. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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    I find Aeoniums do sometimes lose lower leaves during the winter, yours is looking a bit sad but is it dry, I find they grow in spring and autumn mostly, summer they often go dormant.

    Hang in there and keep it just moist on the window sill at normal room temperatures, in spring you can cut the rosettes off and re-root them if you want to or just let the plant do its own thing.

    I wouldn't worry about pot size at the moment.
     
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    • noisette47

      noisette47 Total Gardener

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      The colour is normal for the time of year and for a plant kept indoors. As soon as natural light levels pick up and you're able to put it outside without risk of frost, it will start to turn black again :) ETA: Oups! I was assuming that it is A.Swartzkopf !
       
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      • Bluebell Q

        Bluebell Q Apprentice Gardener

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        Thank you so much for your guidance! I really appreciate it. I will keep everything crossed and hope that some leaves remain by the time spring comes. Was just wondering why the edges of the leaves had begun to turn black in addition to the leaf drop, I feel I only have to look at it for it to dump another leave!

         
      • Bluebell Q

        Bluebell Q Apprentice Gardener

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        Thank you so much! My aeonium has always been green. I’m hoping it gets its mojo back soon!
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        It doesn't look like Swartzkopf I think its just a plain green one, I would have expected A. arboreum to have thicker stems maybe.
        But ID can be difficult IMO, I have one that looks similar but it has yellow Variegation.

        The thing with most types of succulent is that they can vary quite a bit in appearance due to what growing conditions and light levels they get.
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Mine are in a frost free greenhouse so I wonder if keeping them inside a house is too hot and dry. Mine also drop a few leaves.
         
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