Aeonium Sunburst 101: Care and Propagation Simplified
Succulents are all the rage, and the Aeonium Sunburst is a showstopper you’ll want in your collection. With mesmerizing rosettes that transition from green in the center to sunny yellow on the edges, this eye-catching plant adds a pop of color to any room. And the best part? It’s a cinch to care for, making it perfect for green thumbs and beginners alike.
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Contents
About the Aeonium Sunburst
This succulent gem grows up to 2 feet tall, with rosettes that can spread up to 2 feet wide. It’s an evergreen plant, but it goes dormant during the summer months, so you can take a break from watering then. During its active growth phase, it needs more water than most succulents due to its shallow roots.
Aeonium Sunburst Care Guide
Light
The Aeonium Sunburst thrives in bright, direct sunlight year-round. Give it a sunny spot near a south-facing window for optimal growth. If it doesn’t get enough light, the leaves can become deformed and stretched out, eventually dying off.
Water
This succulent likes its soil to be slightly moist, but not waterlogged. Before watering again, make sure the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. It’s better to underwater than overwater this plant. During its dormant period from October to February, cut back on watering, giving just enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
Soil
The ideal soil for the Aeonium Sunburst is a well-draining mix of 60% succulent or cactus soil and 40% mineral components like gravel, perlite, lava rocks, and quartz sand. This airy mixture allows excess water to flow through while retaining just the right amount of moisture and nutrients.
Temperature and Humidity
These succulents thrive in warm temperatures between 65-75°F. During the winter months, they prefer temps around 55°F and as much direct sun as possible. Avoid exposing them to temps below 50°F.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, fertilize your Aeonium Sunburst every 4 weeks with a weak succulent fertilizer solution. No need to fertilize during its dormant period.
Aeonium Sunburst Propagation
The Aeonium Sunburst is easy to propagate from cuttings or leaves, allowing you to multiply your collection or share with friends.
Cuttings
- In early spring, snip off 3-4 inch stem cuttings.
- Allow cuttings to callus over for 2-3 days.
- Dip the cut ends in rooting hormone (optional but helps).
- Plant cuttings in moist succulent soil mix.
- Place in a bright spot out of direct sun until roots form in 3-4 weeks.
- Slowly acclimate new plants to more sun and care for like mature plants.
Leaves
- Gently twist off a mature leaf from the main rosette.
- Allow leaf to callus over for 2-3 days.
- Place calloused leaf on succulent soil mix.
- Keep soil lightly moist and in bright, indirect light.
- In a few weeks, roots and a tiny rosette will sprout from the leaf.
- Once established, treat new plant like a mature Aeonium Sunburst.
