Tree houseleek with rosettes high on the stem, turns dark red in sunny positions

Aeonium arboreum, or tree houseleek as it is called in Swedish, forms tall plants with stems carrying rosettes high above the ground. The plant can reach a height of up to 2 meters, and the rosettes are flattened with a diameter of 10 to 25 centimeters. If given plenty of light, the leaves turn dark red; the 'Atropurpureum' variety that we sell here has deep purple-red leaves.

The species is endemic to the western Canary Islands of Tenerife, La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera, and Gran Canaria, where it grows in sunny or slightly shaded locations in weathered volcanic soil.

Care

Tree houseleek should be grown in as much light as possible; even direct sunlight is fine. The red variety in particular requires sun to develop its deep color.

Since the tree houseleek is a succulent, it can store water in its leaves and therefore tolerates drought well. It should be watered thoroughly each time it is watered, but the soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings, especially in winter.

Its nutritional needs are not great; nutrient supplements once a month from spring to autumn are quite sufficient. Normal room temperature is recommended during the growing season, but in winter, a lower temperature is beneficial. Tree houseleek can withstand temperatures down to 8 degrees Celsius, but at that point, watering should be almost entirely avoided. The ideal winter temperature is 10-15 degrees.

Repotting should take place in the spring in well-drained soil with extra sand and clay pellets. Repot every couple of years in relatively small pots. The plants can be kept outdoors during the summer but should be protected during long periods of rain.

Propagation: Cut off whole leaf rosettes and plant them in pots as cuttings. Can also be propagated via leaf cuttings, which should be left for a few days first to allow the cut surface to dry. Buy tree houseleek online!