Housetree Leek – Succulent plants

Housetree Leek is a branching succulent sub-shrub that produces magnificent, almost black-purple, leaf rosettes at the ends of its branches. The branched stems grow up to 90 cm tall. Light yellow flowers form long clusters in the summer.

Scientific Classification:

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Aeonium

Scientific Name: Aeonium arboreum var. atropurpureum
Common Names: Housetree Leek, Black Rose Tree, Purple Rose, Purple Aeonium
Synonyms: Aeonium atropurpureum, Aeonium arboreum f. atropurpureum, Aeonium manriqueorum f. atropurpureum.

How to grow and maintain Housetree Leek:

Light:
It thrives best in full sunlight to part sunlight in a sheltered spot, but the bright light enhances the rich hues of the darker Aeoniums.

Soil:
It grows well in humus-rich, moist but well-drained, any good potting mix soil.

Temperature:
It prefers ideal temperatures of 65ºF – 75ºF / 18ºC – 24ºC and no lower than 50ºF / 10ºC.

Water:
Water moderately but consistently during the growing season, Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Allow the top one inch of soil to dry out between waterings. During the winter reduce watering to a minimum.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize your plant once every 2 weeks during the active growth period with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by seed or by cuttings. Sow seed at 19-24ºC in spring. Take cuttings of rosettes in the spring and kept at 18ºC and barely moist until rooted.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for aphids and mealybugs.