Greenovia aurea: Care and Propagation Guide
Greenovia aurea, also known as Aeonium aureum, belongs to the Crassulaceae family. This succulent plant is native to the Canary Islands and usually grows in clusters and groups, with each plant having a stem or clump that can grow up to 15-17 inches tall.
The stem gives way to rosettes of fleshy gray-green leaves along with multiple small yellow flowers that tend to grow on a separate stalk.
Related Post:
5 Types of Greenovia Succulents [With Pictures]
Contents
How to Care for Greenovia aurea
Caring for plants is more than just about growing the plant itself or maintaining a garden. For a lot of people, it is an act of self-care because research has shown that it can improve mood and help reduce stress.
In that context, succulents are a popular choice for novice gardeners because they are relatively easier to care for. Here’s a care guide on Greenovia aurea, a type of succulent. Greenovia aurea is much like other succulents when it comes to care instructions.
Light
Like all other succulents, Greenovia aurea thrives in brightly lit spaces that are warm. Patios are a good place in the summer but you must move them outdoors gradually. You want the plant to get light but it must not be exposed to maximum heat and brightness during the day. This leads to the scorching of the plant.
Watering
As is the case with succulents, you must water Greenovia aurea only when the topsoil gets dry. And in winter, give it half the amount of water as you did in summer. When the plant starts to grow again in spring, bring it back to its summer routine.
Soil
Greenovia aurea plants require a well-drained pot and gritty potting soil. You can grow them through the seeds before the bloom season. Many of these plants are monocarpic which means they flower only once and then die. So, if your plant does not flower at all, you don’t have the chance to create a Greenovia aurea garden. These plants grow to be bulky and must be repotted with fertile medium soil every few years.
Fertilizing
Winter is the best time to fertilize Greenovia aurea. But you can fertilize them as you would fertilize cacti and other succulents in spring too. Just make sure not to do so in summer if you have a rose succulent because that is when they are dormant. Check the instructions on the package.
But as a thumb rule, get half-strength balanced fertilizer and feed the plants on a monthly basis when they are actively growing. This will promote health and lush growth.
Climate
Greenovia aurea plants, in general, grow well when the humidity is low and the climate is mild in summer and in terms of rain. They can be grown in patios or balconies or in pots too such that they experience sunny mornings but are in shade during the afternoon.
These plants are also not great with frost. They can handle some amount of cold weather, but if they are left exposed in extreme winter, they will bite the dust.
Pests and Diseases
This is an important thing to look out for at the end of seasons when it is time to move the plants back in. Experts suggest rubbing the plant with neem oil or 70 percent alcohol spray to keep the pests away. Keep an eye on the leaves of the plant and if you see any insects crawling around, get your spray out and begin pest control right away.
How to Propagate Greenovia aurea
As mentioned earlier, these plants are quite rare to find. So, if you have one, you must use the seeds from the flowers to propagate them. When you are dealing with small seedlings, remember to spray water with a bottle. You increase the watering level once there are multiple sets of leaves. That is also when you move them into bigger containers.
You can also propagate these plants with the offsets that are growing at the plant’s base. Get a knife, separate them and plant them in clean soil in a shallow tray. Care for them like an adult Greenovia aurea plant.