This bundle of leafy succulent rosettes is striking for the bright red stripe down the middle of each leaf, contrasting with the pale green of the inner leaves and complementing the pink-red tint on the outer edges of the leaves. Easy enough to care for on a sunny window, this plant will reward a nice sunny spot and well-draining soil with beautiful foliage and planty of growth for you to enjoy!
Scientific Name
Aeonium leucoblepharum 'Red Stripe' (Aeonium with white eyelids, cultivar: Red Stripe)
This plant has also been incorrectly known as Sempervivum chrysanthum and Sempervivum leucoblepharum.
Common Name
Red Stripe Aeonium
Origin
This plant is native to Northeast Africa, especially Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda
Light
This Aeonium will love your brightest window (south- or west-facing should work well here). It needs plenty of bright, preferably direct light to grow its best.
Water
Your Aeonium is adapted to arid climate, so let it dry out between waters. Watering too often can harm this plant.
Humidity
This plant is adapted to arid areas so likes dry air and doesn't need it to be humid. A hose down to dust it is fine as long as it can totally dry out afterwards.
Soil
A well-draining mix, with components like sand and grit, will help this plant's roots to not get soggy! A mix designed for cacti or succulents like this one would be ideal. Repot every 3-4 years as the plant grows.
Food
Feed every three to four months throughout the year; a specific cactus feed will have the perfect balance of nutrients, though a general houseplant feed will be fine too.
Temperature
Ideally likes temperatures of 16-30°C; make sure it doesn't drop below 5°C in winter. This plant can be grown outdoors above 5°C!
Pet-safe
Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!
Sprouts Top Tips
Aeoniums may die after flowering; you can take stem cuttings to avoid losing your plant in this case.
The key with caring for this one is making sure you don't overwater; let the soil totally dry out between watering! Rapidly yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering to look out for. If you notice the stem going woody, that's fine- this is just your plant maturing.
