Colorful succulents have always been my favorites. A little green succulent plant with a hint of bright color is definitely a good addition to your succulent collection. Especially the ones stained with the tones like red, brown or purple warm up your space in cold winter days.
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Aeonium Kiwi is a small sized indoor succulent which develops flashing dark pink hues at the borderline of its leaves. While the plant accent itself by appearance, it is also pretty easy to care it at homes.
Although this Aeonium hybrid is quite appealing, you should beware some of its peculiarities. Firstly, these succulents are tender about the very hot weathers as much as the very colds. Secondly, they would rather a bit more watering compared to other types of succulents. And the last one is their sensitive body that bruises with the slight bump.
Here is a deep guide I prepared for you to be sure your Aeonium Kiwi lives happily. I hope you will find every detail of these succulents in this post. Let’s start!
Identification of the Genus: Aeonium
Aeonium “Kiwi” is a hybrid succulent of the species called Aeonium Haworthii which belongs to the genus of Aeonium. The botanical name Aeonium comes from Greek, and it means “ageless”.
Aeoniums contain about 35 species. Besides these species, there are many cultivars from mixed or unknown parent species. This genus is considered to be a relative of Sempervivums, so it is also known as Tree Houseleek.
Although Aeonium Haworthii is originated from Canary Islands, there is not any present information on where Aeonium “Kiwi” is native to.
Another common name for these succulents is Aeonium Haworthii Tricolor. They are among the favorites because of three colors that the leaves display; degraded green shades in the middle, a pastel yellow band framing the leaves, and lastly bright red or fushia hues at the margins.
Formally, the shape of Aeonium “Kiwi” is in the order of a rosette, with water-storing juicy leaves. The leaves are slightly concave inwards, pointy on the tips and sometimes have little teeth at the edges.
They are types of slow-growing succulent plants. The rosettes of Kiwi Aeonium generally grows about 30 cm tall and 30 cm wide. And the maximum size they can reach is approximately 90 cm of height and width. These succulents are great for mid-sized containers and rock gardens.
Cold/Hot Hardiness of Kiwi Aeonium
Many succulent plants are hardy for hot and arid weather while they cannot withstand cold temperatures, since these plants mostly originate from desert areas. However, it is known that Kiwi Aeoniums are less enduring for extreme conditions.
These succulents are dormant during the summer, which is also a rare thing to see for a succulent plant. Because they go dormant, they can survive the humid outdoors by this season. But still, they will do better in less humid room temperatures.
During the wintertime, Kiwi Aeonium grows actively. If the outdoor temperatures drop freezing, growing stops and the plant might get damaged. You can keep your Aeoniums in containers placed into the indoor spaces where the temperatures are moderate and stable.
Aeonium “Kiwi” Cared Indoors
Kiwi Aeoniums are hardy for though situations, unlike many other convenient houseplants. Anyways, if your Kiwi Aeoniums are grown in the garden, it is suggested to move the outdoor containers indoors before the winter comes.
In my opinion, it seems like a better idea to care these succulents indoors at the first place. It is because they are a little more cold sensitive than the other succulent species. And they usually do not grow larger than a mid-sized houseplant. They make great plants to cheer up your window sill!
How to Water Aeonium Kiwi
Aeonium “Kiwi” requires an often watering when compared to other succulents that I made a review before. You can find many other popular types here, if you would like to enlarge your succulent collection.
Even so, Aeoniums are types of succulent plants, which stock the water inside the tissues of its fleshy leaves and body. Considering that, they still need less frequent watering as houseplants. A general suggestion is giving water to them once around every week, during the active growing season (winter to spring).
Kiwi Aeoniums go dormant in spring and summer, as I have just said. During these months they will need a very rare irrigation, maybe not at all. You possibly understand if they require a watering or not, by checking the leaves. Water only the leaves are creased and wrinkly.
While Kiwi Aeonium like a bit more moist soil; just like every succulent, it is safer to give less water other than over-watering these plants.
The method of watering Kiwi Aeonium is pretty the same as with the other succulents. Pour a big amount of water to the soil, so the roots soak up all they need. Repeat it one more time if necessary. And let the excess water drain through the soil.
After a good irrigation, you should wait for a while until the plant use up its stock moisture and require another watering.
Sun Requirements
Aeonium “Kiwi” loves the sun. Just as many colorful succulents, this type also get to develop color on the leaves thanks to the bright sunlight. By this way it attracts the insects helping the pollination.
Yet, be careful when exposing your Kiwi Aeonium to the direct sun. These plants tend to get a sunburn very quick. Generally, direct lighting for a couple of hours will be sufficient. You can place yours facing the East or the West facade, so that it keeps having an indirect bright light other times during the day.
Sunburns on the leaves of succulents appear as eighter black spots or brown marks on the surface. Try to check your plant every once in a while, because sunburns are permanent on succulent leaves and they are not possible to recover.
Soil Requirements
Likewise all of the succulent species, Aeonium “Kiwi” should be planted in a fast-draining type of soil. Even it likes a little moisture, don’t risk it and go for the right type of succulent soils.
Succulent soils should be airy and grainy, that means the regular potting soil will not work well with them. In fact, you can easily find a lot of ready-to-use special succulent soil blend both online and at the flower shops. But I always say that it is an easy thing to mix your own soil at home however you like.
To reach the soil mix recipe I use with my succulents and also a few of the popular online options, check out my Succulent Soil Guide.
Even though you have the best draining soil, it makes no sense without a pot with drainage holes. Be sure you use a pot having large holes at the bottom when planting Aeoniums. I’m sure you can find numerous options complimenting your home decor.
Flowers of Aeonium “Kiwi”
After Aeonium “Kiwi” comes to the end of its growing season, little yellow flowers appear around late spring or summer.
You should know that Kiwi Aeonium is a monocarp plant, meaning it dies after flowering. For that reason, they are better to be propagated before they reach the end of their lifespan.
Propagating Aeonium “Kiwi”
While Kiwi Aeoniums can be propagated by the seeds, vegetetive methods are much easier, faster and convenient for these plants.
Propagation with a stem cutting is the most successful way to do that. All you need to do is taking a cut from the tip of a healthy stem and then planting it to a new pot.
Be careful that you use a clean cutter to avoid infections. Water the plant before you take a cutting, and leave the cutting on a dry surface for a few days before replantation. Although the best season for propagation is spring and summer, Aeoniums can grow a new plant all year long.
Brown Marks on the Leaves of Kiwi Aeonium
Aeonium “Kiwi” is a peculiar type because they are rather tender succulents. You may notice some brown mark on the leaves of your Kiwi Aeonium. That is caused by bumps and impacts. Unfortunately, the leaves tend to bruise very quickly.
Anyhow, the plant will grow healthy leaves instead of the bruised ones if handled with care.
Aeonium Kiwi is a pretty little hybrid of Aeonium Haworthii, gaining the attention of succulent lovers because of its tricolor leaves. Degrading green leaves produce a flashing red or pink stripe around the leaves and that is why these plants step forward among all the succulents.
If you also fall in for these beautiful succulents, make sure you are aware some of its specialties which I explained in detail. After that, they are super easy and super fun to care for!
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