If you’re looking for a plant that’s as easy to take care of as it is fun to look at, look no further than Aeonium ‘Kiwi’.
This succulent is one of the most versatile plants in your home, capable of growing in a variety of different environments.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to grow and care for your Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ succulent so that you can enjoy its beauty every day.
Learn how to care for and grow Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ so you can enjoy its beautiful foliage while keeping it healthy!
in this article:
About Aeonium ‘Kiwi’
Aeonium Kiwi is a gorgeous evergreen succulent with dreamy colors and easy-going nature that’s hard to find among pretty houseplants.
It has spoon-shaped succulent leaves tinged with yellow and red highlights that complement the green undertone spectacularly.
It’s a variety of Aeonium Haworthii. Although this Aeonium inherits its monocarpic nature from its parent species, it offsets profusely, resulting in many rosettes that can take up the slack every time a rosette dies after blooming.
It can be grown indoors and outdoors because it adjusts its nature according to its conditions.
| Botanical Name | Aeonium haworthii ‘Kiwi’ |
| Common Name | Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | Canary Islands |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Width | 2-3 feet |
| Light | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Bloom season | Summer |
| Bloom color | Yellow |
| Water needs | Low/Average |
| Soil | Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy |
| Tolerant | Deer, Drought |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 10-11 |
Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ Care
Aeonium Kiwi is a forgiving succulent. It requires little care to thrive, but you have to abide by some rules to make it truly thrive. If left unchecked, it will grow just fine but won’t be as vibrant as with the proper care.
Light
The best light for this plant is full sun. It can tolerate light shade but needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight daily.
If you want to grow your Aeonium in an area that gets less light, you should use high-quality artificial light such as fluorescent bulbs or LED lights.
East or south-facing windows will provide the plant with plenty of direct sunlight in the mornings. This is important because the harsh afternoon sun can sometimes harm the plant’s health and cause sunburn.
Soil
Aeoniums are succulents that can handle poorer soils than most plants. That is not to say they don’t appreciate some good quality soil with a healthy amount of nutrients; it just means they can do just as well without it.
However, if there is one rule you can’t violate when it comes to the soil for your Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is that it needs to be well-draining. The last thing you want is for your plant to get root rot by getting its soil waterlogged.
This is a common problem among succulents, so it’s best to avoid it altogether by ensuring there are plenty of holes in the bottom of the pot and that they’re not filled with any sort of material or moss.
If you’re planting your Aeonium in a container, you may want to add some pebbles to help with drainage.
Water
Aeoniums are succulents, so they need little water. They are also native to arid conditions and can tolerate long periods of drought. However, you will want to ensure you water them regularly as they have shallow root systems that need moisture to thrive.
The first rule when watering Aeoniums is do not overwater! It’s better to water infrequently but more deeply than to keep your plant constantly moistened by frequent light watering. This can cause easily cause rot if the soil has become waterlogged or if the potting mix has been allowed to dry out completely between watering sessions.
Generally, the best way to tell when your Aeonium Kiwi needs more moisture is by checking the soil. If it feels dry 1 inch below the surface – give it a good deep soak until excess water flows freely from drainage holes at the bottom of its container or pot.
The seasons are also a good indicator of how much water your plant needs. For example, hotter months during late spring warrant more water, whereas the colder months in winter dictate the plant gets a lower quantity of water.
Also, as the Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ goes dormant during the summer, its watering needs decrease drastically.
Temperature and Humidity
Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ thrives when temperatures are between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant doesn’t like to be too hot or too cold, so keep it about 68 degrees in summer and around 60-65 degrees in winter.
Ensure good conditions so that it’s comfortable for your Aeoniums.
If you notice that your Aeonium Kiwi is being stressed in high heat or drying out during dry spells, try adding an additional watering or misting them with water until they recover their health.
If areas where temperatures drop below freezing (32 F), bring your plant indoors until warmer weather returns.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers should be used in spring or fall when the plants are actively growing. When using fertilizer on your Aeonium ‘Kiwi,’ use a balanced fertilizer that equally contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Generally, you should feed approximately once at the beginning of spring and again at the beginning of fall.
The quantity of fertilizer used should be based on the size of the plant. Small plants need less fertilizer, while large ones will require more.
Pruning
Pruning is essential to any plant’s care, but it’s vital for an Aeonium. If you don’t prune your plant, it will grow tall and spindly and may eventually topple over. But if you prune the plant regularly, it will stay compact and bushy without becoming floppy or lanky.
You should prune your Aeonium in spring as soon as all danger of frost has passed (or in early fall if you live in a warm climate).
Never prune during dormancy (usually summer, but it can vary); this could cause your plant severe damage or even death! Also, be careful not to cut into the main stem unless you know what you’re doing—you should remove only young stems.
Cutting back the top of the main stem for bushier growth is a good idea. This will force the plant to send out lateral branches to make up the difference.
Potting and Repotting Aeonium ‘Kiwi’
To keep your Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ happy and healthy, it’s essential to pot it properly and give it the best conditions possible. The first step is choosing a pot that’s big enough for your plant.
Ideally, the pot should be between 10-12 inches across and 2-3 inches deep; however, the specifics depend on your particular succulent and where it is in its growth phase. Just note that the new pot needs to be slightly bigger than the old one to provide room for growth.
Once you’ve chosen an appropriate container, make sure there are no cracks or crevices where water could get trapped so that moisture isn’t wasted on rotting roots – try using sandpaper to smooth those areas out if necessary before filling up with soil mix!
Spring is the best time to repot Aeoniums. These succulents tend to go dormant during the summer months, and their growth slows significantly. Avoid repotting during this time.
Prepare
How to Repot
- Remove the plant from its pot by fishing out the root ball with your hands, then gently pulling it up from the base. The soil should come out with it, as long as it’s not too tightly packed into the container.
- Remove dead plant debris from around and under your new Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ by hand or using a small pair of pruning shears if necessary.
- Use the well-draining soil to fill up the new pot about halfway.
- Dig a hole and place the root ball inside, keeping it level and straight. Push down on the soil around it with your hands to ensure that there are no air pockets left behind, then cover with more soil until it is about 2 inches below the pot’s rim.
- Don’t water until the roots have become established (after a week).
Propagating Aeonium ‘Kiwi’
Propagate Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ Using Stem Cuttings
Here’s how to take a stem cutting and prepare it for planting:
- Select healthy stems that have mature rosettes at their apex. The best time to take cuttings is early spring when they are actively growing.
- Remove any unwanted protrusions (secondary branches) from the bottom one-third of your selection with a pair of scissors. If you do not remove these early on, they will result in an untidy-looking plant later!
- With sharp pruning shears or garden clippers, carefully cut off the lower end of each selected stem (about 1/4 inch above soil level).
- Make sure that all cuts go straight through so that each cut face has smooth edges rather than ragged ones, which might cause decay below where you can’t see them yet but need water access for survival!
- Do not use unwashed tools; sterilize them between uses by wiping with rubbing alcohol and then boiling in water for 15 minutes.
- Allow the cutting to callus over for a few days in a dry spot.
- Once everything is healed, plant your cuttings in a pot with soil. Keep them under indirect light and moist, but not too wet or soggy.
- Water gently until roots form, and then move the new plants to their permanent positions in the garden where they will be hardy enough to survive on their own!
Propagate Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ Using Leaf Cuttings
When choosing a leaf to take, consider the size and shape of the leaf as well as its color. Try to use leaves that have been growing in their current location for at least one year. To propagate your plant with leaf cuttings, follow these steps:
- Take a cutting from an established plant. Use a sharp, sterilized tool to make clean cuts without damaging any flower buds or stem tissue (these are important for rooting). Cut off each side of the leaf at an angle; don’t just cut straight across because this can damage cells needed for rooting.
- Place your cutting in a small pot filled with well-draining soil
- Water lightly to get the soil slightly moist but not too much.
- Make a small hole in the center of the pot to make way for the cutting and plant its cut end face down.
- Keep the soil consistently moist over the next few weeks. Provide plenty of indirect, bright light, relatively high temperatures, and high humidity.
- Once the plant has rooted, you can transfer it to a larger pot with fresh soil and move it into a more permanent container.
Blooms
Aeoniums are monocarpic, meaning that they only bloom once before dying. The flowers appear on a raceme (a stalk with multiple flowers) when blooming.
Luckily, Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is among the members of its genus that produce multiple rosettes over time. In monocarpic Aeoniums, after rosette blooms, it will immediately begin to wither and fade away. Unfortunately, you can do nothing to prevent it from dying after it has flowered.
However, the other rosettes will be completely fine. They’ll only suffer the same condition once it’s their turn to flower.
For mature plants, the flowering season is in the summer season.
Toxicity
Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is considered non-toxic. It is safe to be around pets and children.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
Common Problems
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when the plant receives too much water or water pools near the roots, resulting in root rot. To correct these problems, you’ll have to pull the plant out of the pot and let the roots dry out for several days before you replant. In addition, ensure that your soil drains well so that water can be drained away from its roots when necessary.
Keep checking your plant regularly for signs of overwatering, and adjust your watering routine accordingly. The finger test is an easy way to check if your plant needs water. Stick your finger in the soil; if it comes up wet, don’t water it.
Underwatering
If your plant is underwatering, you’ll see the rosettes shedding their outer leaves. This is caused by a lack of essential water needed for the survival of the entire plant. The plant doesn’t have enough resources to function, so it starts cutting out the fat, so to speak.
If you think your Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ needs more water, here’s what to do:
- Move the plant somewhere shadier where it won’t dry up as quickly.
- Water more frequently and deeply, but allow the water to drain quickly. You don’t want to overcorrect and make things worse.
Overfertilization
It is essential to understand that Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ is extremely sensitive to overfertilization. If you fertilize your succulents more than once yearly, it could lead to root burn and other issues. It is best to keep this in mind if you plan to grow the plant indoors.
Frost Damage
If you’ve ever experienced frost damage on Aeonium ‘Kiwi’, you know it can devastate the plant’s health. The leaves will turn white, shrivel and become brittle at the tips. The roots may also die or become damaged in severe cases of frost damage.
If you encounter frost damage with your Aeonium, take action as soon as possible to prevent further damage. The best thing you can do is move your plant inside if there is any chance that frost will occur in the area where it resides.
If this isn’t possible, move it into an unheated garage or shed where temperatures won’t dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).
Remove any parts affected by the frost burn, i.e., the white discoloration, and continue maintaining warmth around the plant’s pot. It should recover over the next few weeks.
Shedding Leaves
If you notice your Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ losing leaves, there’s nothing to worry about! This phenomenon is entirely normal for this plant. Aeoniums shed leaves naturally during their summer dormancy to help conserve energy and water.
How to Grow and Care for Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ (Video)