Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’: Growing And Care Guide

Aeonium is a genus of succulent plants that belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Aeoniums are native to the Canary Islands and sometimes grow in Africa, but they are also popular as houseplants because they can be grown indoors year-round. Aeoniums have thick, waxy leaves that create a rosette shape perfect for adding texture and color to any room in your home.

The Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ is a typical Aeonium forming low clumps of succulent leaved rosettes supported on a thick, woody stem. The center of the rosette is a bright, eye-catching green which contrasts nicely with the deep red to burgundy color on the outer rim.

These plants spread about one foot and get about just as tall. They require a decent amount of spacing (about 2 feet) to grow comfortably.

Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ is a hybrid of two different Aeoniums (Aeonium tabuliforme and Aeonium’ Zwarktop’) named after Jack Catlin, the man who bred this particular hybrid.

Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ Care

Aeonium’ Jack Catlin’ is a slow grower, so don’t expect to see your plant growing exponentially just because you’ve been away from it for a couple of days. The best way to ensure that Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ stays healthy is by keeping it out of direct sunlight and in a slightly moist environment.

Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ grows best in USDA Zones 9-11 and allows residents in these areas to grow these beauties outdoors. But, planting indoors is the way to go if you live outside these zones.

Light

Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ prefers full sun but will tolerate low light.

Indoors, place the plant near a bright window facing south or east. Outdoors, it would help if you planted it in an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. The more sun your plant receives, the more vibrant its color will be.

If you’re planning on moving your plant to an area with more light, do so gradually. Sudden changes in light intensity can result in sunburn.

Soil

Aeonium jack catlin is a succulent plant, which means it needs soil that drains well and is sandy. You can add inorganic material to your pot, such as perlite or pumice. This will not only help improve drainage but airflow as well. Ensure the soil is always at dry to medium moisture; never let it get soggy or wet!

Almost all Aeoniums can tolerate nutrient-poor soil, but it’s best to replace the old soil with fresh soil when repotting.

Water

Water your Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ when the soil is dry to the touch. Water the plant until it drains out of the bottom of the pot, then allow it to dry out before watering again.

You may need to water more frequently if your home is hot and dry since these plants require more water than other succulents. This is because their shallow root system retains less moisture.

Don’t water your Aeonium’ Jack Catlin’ in summer when the plant is dormant. Likewise, reduce watering in the winter when the cold sets in.

Temperature and Humidity

Aeoniums should be kept above 40°F (4.4°C) and do best when the temperature remains between 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C).

They can tolerate cooler temperatures for short periods but will begin to suffer if the temperature drops below freezing for long periods.

Aeoniums are very sensitive to frost damage, so it’s recommended that you keep them indoors during the winter months in your area, then move them back outside once temperatures start warming up again. However, if you regularly experience winters with moderate temperatures (more than 25ºF or -3ºC), your plant may survive outdoors year-round as long as it remains adequately dry.

However, if freezing temperatures are the norm for you—especially those with snow cover—you’ll need to bring your Aeonium inside before frost sets in each winter season.

Fertilizer

The most common mistake people make when fertilizing aeoniums is over-fertilizing. Unfortunately, this can sometimes even lead to plant death. That being said, these plants have a slightly higher threshold of being fed when compared to some other succulents.

Only fertilized during the growing season and never more than once every three weeks. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength for the best results.

Then in early summer, when growth stops, stop fertilizing until fall, when new growth starts again.

Pruning

Regular pruning is vital for healthy growth and maintaining an attractive appearance. It also keeps the size of your plant in check.

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can decide how much to trim back each time you prune. However, it would be best to do this regularly, so your plant remains compact and bushy looking.

To promote lateral growth:

Prune back the main stem slightly more than usual every few weeks during winter months (when actively growing).

Remove any dead or damaged leaves so that they do not hinder further growth of the lateral branches.

You may also want to cut some of these young shoots close to their base if they grow too long or stretch beyond where you want them to go.

To improve overall health:

If you see yellowing leaves on individual stems after removing flowers or trimming off tips of new shoots, pinch those tips carefully with tweezers until most leaf matter has turned green again.

Propagating Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’

Propagating Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ is best done by taking cuttings.

The first thing you’ll want to do is give your plant some time to mature. You can tell when it’s ready because it will have several different rosettes growing on branches—a sign that the plant has reached maturity—and they will be almost as large as the primary rosette.

Steps to propagate Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ by rosette cuttings.

1. Choose a healthy, robust rosette to get a vigorous plant for your efforts.
2. Use a clean knife or sharp scissors to remove the rosette from the mother plant by separating it near the branch’s base.
3. Place it in an appropriate propagation medium (potting soil with some added perlite or sand)
4. Lightly pat down on top of the soil so there are no air pockets between roots and soil (you can add more soil if needed).
5. Now place this container in a warm environment—ideally above 64 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius).
6. Keep the cutting barely moist until roots appear. This can take multiple weeks.
7. After they appear, repot the new plant into its own pot and give it plenty of light but not too much sun for several weeks before transplanting outside or into your garden planter box.

Repotting Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’

It’s recommended you repot the Aeonium’ Jack Catlin’ every year or two. This is because the soil’s nutrients can deplete over a long cultivation period, resulting in a fatal deficiency over time.

The plant may stay healthy for a while, but eventually, it will start to look unhealthy and stop growing. Therefore, the best time to repot is just before spring arrives.

Pick an appropriately sized pot and place the Aeonium’ Jack Catlin’ in an area where it will get plenty of light but not too much sun. You should also make sure that there is adequate drainage in the pot before transplanting.

Aeoniums tend to get slightly top-heavy over time, so make sure to support the plant with stakes or a pot that has a wide base.

Use fast-draining soil for your pot. Aeoniums do not like standing water, so ensuring that your pot has adequate drainage holes and a well-draining potting medium is essential.

Prepare

Steps on How to Repot Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’

To repot your Aeonium, you need to:

1. Take your plant out of its container. Try turning the pot upside down and tapping on the edge of the pot. This will loosen up any roots clinging onto the inside of the pot, making it easier for you to remove from the container.
2. Once you have removed your Aeonium from its pot, gently separate any tangled roots with your fingers. If any large pieces of dirt are stuck to them, rinse them under running water until all debris has been removed from around each root ball.
3. Do not use soap or detergent when rinsing off your plant’s roots, as this can damage them over time by removing essential oils from their surface.
4. Fill the preselected pot with a drainage-friendly potting medium such as perlite or vermiculite, and place your plant into it, so there is enough room between its base and the bottom of the container for water to drain out quickly.
5. Dig a shallow hole in the potting medium to make room for the root ball. Place your Aeonium inside. Don’t cover any green bits of the plant with soil; only cover the roots.
6. Wait a week or two to water again. Give your Aeonium some time to get adjusted to its new home.

Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ Blooms

Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ is a monocarpic plant, meaning it will die after flowering. However, if you are happy with the rosette size and want to keep it for more years, you can remove the flower spikes and prevent them from appearing entirely, thereby saving your plant.

Flowers only appear on mature plants. And it takes at least about 3-5 years for most specimens to reach this milestone.

The flowers are produced at the end of a long stalk that rises from the center of the rosette. The yellow, star-shaped blooms appear in a conical cluster at the tail-end of the racemes.

Each rosette will only bloom once before dying.

Common Pests

As far as plants go, aeoniums are pretty much disease-free. Some pests may occasionally show up and cause problems, though.

• Aphids will suck the sap from your plant’s leaves and stems. They tend to be found in new growth.
• Scale insects look like tiny brown or black bumps on your plant’s stems or leaves, typically oval-shaped. They can be tough to handle, so it’s best to get an expert opinion before trying anything yourself!
• Mealybugs have powdery wax covering their bodies; they’re usually found under leaf surfaces or within crevices on succulent stems–these bugs can damage the plant, so it’s important not to let them spread!

Depending on the severity of the problem, you might need to use high-strength pesticides. But it’s generally recommended to refrain from doing so if organic solutions like horticultural oils do the trick.

Common Problems with Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’

Aeonium’ Jack Catlin’ is a generally tolerant plant requiring little care from you. However, there are still some common issues to keep in mind.

Root Rot

Root rot is a common problem with aeoniums, especially in the first year. It’s caused by overwatering and can be cured by watering less, using a fungicide (if you have it), and repotting into fresh soil. In addition, a good potting mix with drainage holes will help prevent root rot in the first place.

Overwatering

Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes beginners make when growing Aeoniums. If you overwater your plant, it will rot and possibly die. You should also avoid watering your Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ every day because this may cause its roots to rot or become unhealthy.

The best way to tell if your Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ needs water is by checking its soil moisture level by sticking a finger inside the potting medium up to about an inch deep (about 2 cm). If there’s no dampness present, then it’s time to water!

Shedding Leaves

Like most Aeoniums, the Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ sheds its leave when it enters dormancy. The leaves will drop off as the plant goes into its dormant period, a part of the natural growth cycle.

There is no way to prevent this from occurring, and you can rest assured that the leaves will come back when the plant enters its growth phase come fall.

To help restore your Aeonium’s health and vigor after it leaves dormancy, give it plenty of water and nutrients right at the start of the new season.

Sunburn

Aeoniums are sensitive to too much sunlight. In warmer climates, it’s essential to give your plant plenty of shade. If your plant is suffering from sunburn—brown, dead patches on the leaves—then move it out of direct sunlight as soon as possible. The sunburned areas will turn black and fall off once removed from the light source.

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