Are you looking for a plant that’s not too difficult to grow but still looks great in your home? If so, check out Aeonium ‘Cyclops,’ a succulent plant with beautiful foliage and a unique shape!
But how do you keep your Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ healthy?
There’s still a lot of misinformation about how to care for Cyclops, and it’s important to know what does and doesn’t work. Let’s take a look at some care tips that will help you keep this succulent healthy and happy in your home.
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is a hybrid of Aeonium undulatum and the incredibly famous Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop.’ It is also called Giant Red Aeonium because of its dark red coloration and huge rosettes.
Plants in the Aeonium genus make for spectacular potted plants, adding a touch of the exotic to any landscape. The Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is no different.
| Botanical Name | Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ |
| Common Name | Giant Red Aeonium |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | Hybrid, Garden origin |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 4-5 feet |
| Width | 3-4 feet |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom season | Late Winter, Early Spring |
| Bloom color | Yellow Gold |
| Water needs | Low/Average |
| Soil | Well-drained, Sandy/Loamy |
| Tolerant | Deer, Drought |
| Toxicity | No |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 9-11 |
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ Plant Care
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is an easy-to-care-for plant that handles neglect well. It is a slow grower and needs very little care, making it ideal for beginners or those with little time to devote to their plants.
Light
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ needs bright light. Therefore, place it in a sunny location, preferably near the south- or west-facing windows, where it will receive at least a few hours of direct sunlight daily. Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ also tolerates some shade but will lose its color if grown under low light conditions.
You can also grow Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ as a houseplant if you don’t have access to a sunny window. To do so, move the plant outside during the summer and bring it indoors when the temperature drops below 40°F (4.4°C).
Soil
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is a succulent plant, which means that it needs soil that drains well. If the soil stays too wet, it will rot the roots and may eventually kill the plant.
In general, sandy soils are best for succulents because they drain well and don’t become waterlogged. However, if you have very heavy clay or loamy soils, you can add sand or pumice to improve drainage and ensure successful planting.
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ also prefers dry conditions to medium moisture ones—a potting medium that retains some water is ideal.
Water
Water Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ when the soil is dry to the touch. Water deeply and infrequently, giving enough water to moisten the entire root ball thoroughly. But, do not allow the plant to stand in water, or it may rot.
Watering less in winter is expected because of lower temperatures and reduced light intensity. However, in cool growing conditions, such as wintertime indoors or in a greenhouse, use room temperature water.
Temperature and Humidity
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is a succulent that prefers moderate humidity, which means that you can keep the plant at 40-60% relative humidity.
Getting to this level shouldn’t be hard, as 50% humidity is considered average room conditions.
The ideal temperature range for growing Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is 65-75 degrees F (18-24 degrees C), with warmer temperatures being more favorable than colder ones.
This plant will experience significant stress and might even die if exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees C) or above 100 degrees F (38 degrees C).
Fertilizer
Fertilize Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ in spring, fall and winter. Feed the plant with a balanced fertilizer every two to three months during the growing season.
Don’t fertilize during the summer months, as that’s when these plants usually go dormant.
Pruning
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is a self-contained plant not extending beyond the confines of its rosettes. Therefore, it rarely needs to be pruned.
Like most succulents, you should only prune Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ during the growing season. Therefore, the best time to prune this plant is during the fall (September through October).
How to Propagate Aeonium ‘Cyclops’
There are two main ways to propagate Aeonium Cyclops: stem and leaf cuttings.
Propagation by Stem Cuttings
- Take a healthy stem with a robust rosette and cut it off at an angle just below where it branches out. (You can also use fallen stems, but make sure that they aren’t rotten or soft in any way).
- Allow the stem to callus for about two weeks before planting it in your potting mix. This helps prevent rot when you plant the cutting into potting soil.
- Stick the stem in a pot and expose it to indirect sunlight. Water it once a week, whether or not it seems dry.
- After roots have formed, you will need to water the plant less frequently until it is ready for its new permanent home.
Propagation by Leaf Cuttings
- Take a leaf cutting from the plant, ensuring it is completely healthy with no sunburn spots.
- Allow the leaf time to callus over. A few days to a week should do nicely.
- Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (optional) and insert it into well-drained soil or perlite.
- Keep temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit at all times during rooting, which can take about a month.
- Try to keep the soil slightly moist at all times.
Repotting Aeonium ‘Cyclops’
The best time to repot your succulent is when it has outgrown its current container. If you have a thriving and healthy plant but without enough room in its pot for further growth, it’s time for a transplant!
Try to wait for the fall or spring before repotting. These plants go dormant in the summer, so repotting during this time is not ideal.
When choosing a new pot for your succulent, choose one slightly larger than the old one, as this will promote good drainage. You can also use different materials such as plastic or terracotta pots instead of traditional clay containers.
What you will need to do before repotting
- Prepare the pot. Pick a container that’s slightly larger than the old one. Make sure it has a couple of drainage holes drilled into the bottom. The fastest draining soil won’t do much if your pot has no holes for the water to seep out of.
- Prepare the soil. A standard cactus/succulent mix bought off the shelf will do fine. You can also make your own by mixing equal parts of sand, pumice, and perlite. This will help keep the soil aerated and prevent it from becoming waterlogged.
- Pick a Spot. The best place to grow your Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is in full sun. If you have a shady area with lots of light filtering through the trees, that’s fine too. It should at least get a few hours of direct sunlight.
- Gather the Tools. You’ll need a shovel, a trowel, and a pair of gardening gloves.
How to Repot
- First, fill the container with your preselected potting soil and arrange it so that 3/4 of the pot is filled with the potting medium.
- Carefully uplift it from its current container with both hands while keeping it upright as much as possible (you might need to use a trowel to loosen up the soil).
- Next, remove as much soil from around its roots as possible without damaging them; if necessary, use a sharp knife or pruning shears for this purpose but be careful not to cut into any fine roots if you do use them!
- Now place your Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ into its new container by gently pushing downward along one side until most of its roots are covered by soil;
- Finish filling around them with more soil so that only about 1 inch (2 cm) remains above ground level.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Fertilizing in the summer
- Pruning when your plant is dormant
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ Blooms
Aeoniums are monocarpic, meaning they bloom only once and then die. Luckily, Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ produces plenty of tertiary rosettes that can take up the slack and continue the plant if one of the rosettes dies as a result of flowering.
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ blooms in late winter through early spring. The blooms of this particular Aeonium are bright golden and star-shaped. They are small and appear in clusters on tall, slender stalks called racemes. These flowers only last for a short time, but they’re beautiful while blooming.
Common Pests
Aphids
Aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that feed on the sap of plants. They are a common problem during the summer months and may be present in large numbers. Aphids can multiply rapidly. Aeoniums are not particularly prone to infestation by aphids, but it’s been known to happen occasionally.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, white insects that secrete a white powdery substance that leaves trails on the leaves. They are sapsuckers and can cause the plant to lose vigor and become unhealthy over time. If you see mealybugs on your Aeonium, use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol or neem oil to wipe them off.
Scale Insects
Scale insects resemble tiny hard bumps on your plant’s leaves or stems. These bumps have no legs or antennae — just a small round body with a waxy covering that protects them from predators and insecticides.
If left unchecked, scale insects can cause severe damage to your garden plants by sucking sap from leaves and stems, causing yellowing leaves and stunted growth.
Common Problems with Aeonium ‘Cyclops’
Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ is a beautiful succulent plant that can be grown indoors or outdoors. However, there are some common problems that you might face with this succulent plant.
Root rot:
If the top of your Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ gets brown and shriveled leaves, then it is most likely due to root rot due to overwatering. Remove the plant from its pot and cut off any blackened roots you see. Whether or not your plant can live is entirely up to the plant’s vigor after that point, and there is little you can do.
Dropping Leaves:
The dropping of leaves usually happens during dormancy. Aeoniums tend to go dormant in the summer and shed their leaves. Unfortunately, there is no remedy, and you’ll have to wait for the colder months to get new leaves.
Brown Spots on Leaves:
Brown spots on the leaves are a result of sunburn. Move your Aeonium ‘Cyclops’ out of the way of direct sunlight, especially in the summer months. A little shade from the harsh afternoon sun can do wonders for your plant’s health.
Remove any leaves that are already affected. There is no reversing sunburn.
Giant Red Aeonium Growing And Care Guide (Video)