Aeonium Undulatum Care and Propagation (A Complete Guide)

Several succulent plants are a great addition to any collection. Still, the Aeonium undulatum is a particularly delightful choice.

But worry not if you’re a beginner gardener and don’t know how to take care of or propagate this plant!

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about Aeonium undulatum care and propagation, so they thrive in your garden with minimal effort on your part.

Overview

Family:	Crassulaceae
Genus:	Aeonium
Botanical Name:	Aeonium undulatum
Synonyms:	Aeonium youngianum, Sempervivum youngianum
Common Names:	Saucer plant, Stalked Aeonium
Origin:	Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands
USDA Hardiness Zones:	10a – 11b
Size:	3 feet tall (92 cm) and 8 to 12 inches wide (20-30 cm)
Sun Exposure:	Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs:	Water thoroughly but infrequently
Soil Type:	Well-draining soil
Temperature:	75˚F to 85° (24°-29˚C) during the day and 65-70˚F (18°-21˚C) at night
Humidity Levels:	40-60%

Aeonium undulatum, commonly known as Stalked Aeonium, is a flowering plant native to Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands.

The Aeonium undulatum, a larger species of the Aeonium genus, has 8 to 12-inch rosettes with green fleshy leaves up to more than three feet away from the ground on a single stem.

Aeoniums are typically rosette plants that grow from their top tip, but this one does not branch off the main stem.

The Aeonium undulatum succulent plant produces yellow flowers in pyramidal inflorescences.

The Aeonium plant is a slow grower. It can take up to three years or more for the Aeonium undulatum succulent plant to reach its full flowering potential.

How To Care for Aeonium Undulatum (Stalked Aeonium)

Aeonium undulatum care is a relatively simple and easy process that you can do to keep your succulent happy.

Below is a list of things you should know to properly care for an Aeonium undulatum.

Sun Exposure & Light Requirements

Aeonium undulatum is a succulent plant that requires a lot of sun exposure to grow well.

You should place the plant in a well-lit location. While this plant can handle low light levels, it will grow best with at least four hours of direct sunlight daily.

The best place to leave your Aeoniums outside during summer is on a patio or balcony with plenty of natural lighting.

Alternatively, if there are no balconies, try placing them near large windows where they’ll get enough light from the sun to thrive.

This Aeonium species can be a tricky succulent to grow and care for indoors because the plant needs a lot of light.

If you decide to place them in your home, ensure they are within six feet of a window that gets a few hours of direct sunlight or partial shade daily during winter and up to four hours per day during summer.

It is also best if the window faces south or west.

Watering Requirements

Water Aeonium undulatum when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Give enough water to drain well from the pot’s bottom after a few minutes, and no more than a quarter-inch of water is left in the saucer.

The Aeonium undulatum only needs to be watered about once a week.

If the plant is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to wilt and turn brown. If this happens, then it’s likely that you are watering your Aeonium too little rather than too much!

Watering more often may cause root rot or blights on stems and roots. You can decrease its need for water by planting this succulent in a pot with a drainage hole and providing good air circulation.

It can take up to two weeks without water before any signs of wilting appear on an Aeonium plant! This makes them excellent plants if you want something low-maintenance to grow indoors or outdoors during summer dry spells.

Soil Requirements

Aeonium undulatum requires a soil that drains well but retains moisture. A cactus mix or a succulent soil blend works well.

When a cactus mix is not viable, a blend of 50% regular potting soil and 50% sand can be used.

Aeoniums should also have a layer of gravel at the base to prevent root rot from water that seeps out or spills onto the surface.

Temperature and Humidity

Aeonium undulatum is a little hardy succulent but still needs a reasonable temperature to thrive.

In winter, a daytime high of 60 degrees and a nighttime low of 55 is ideal. Summer days should be between 75 and 85 degrees, with an average nighttime temperature between 65 and 70 degrees.

When your home temperatures fluctuate drastically during the day or at night, consider placing them outside for a few hours daily. This way, it can acclimate gradually for several weeks before putting it out on its own permanently.

Keep humidity levels around 40-50% in winter to avoid Aeonium leaf spot or other fungi. 

In summer, Aeoniums can tolerate more humidity, as high as 60%.

Fertilizing

Aeonium undulatum plants don’t need fertilizer as a general rule.

But it’s a good idea to fertilize with a weak fertilizer solution every once in a while. Fertilizer will help Aeonium plants to grow quickly and easily.

The best fertilizer for Aeoniums is a cactus/succulent plant food. Look for a product containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, or NPK.

Mix a weak solution of the fertilizing mixture with water in a container (using about one teaspoon of this concentration per quart).

It’s important not to overdo it on your succulents – apply once every six weeks or so during periods when they’re actively growing!

Potting and Repotting

When an Aeonium succulent grows in a pot, it may need repotted. The frequency will depend on the size of the soil and how much water the plant takes up.

To separate a fully rooted Aeonium undulatum from its original container, gently remove the dirt with your hands and shake off as much excess as possible without breaking any roots.

Place some fresh soil into a new pot (potting) and add just enough so that no air pockets are left when slightly compressed.

Place the Aeonium stem halfway down and cover with more moistened potting mix (keep about ½” space between soil level and rim). Press around the edges firmly with handcuffs.

Give this Aeonium around two weeks before watering again because separating them from its original root system can be a little stressful.

Pruning

An Aeonium undulatum can grow into a large mound of rosettes – it’s a good idea to trim the plants to avoid them getting too crowded or overtaking other succulents.

It is best to prune your Aeonium at least once yearly, but they don’t need regular cutting back, and a trim a couple of times a year is fine.

Only cut off rosettes that are looking unhealthy or dead. It’s best to leave the healthy ones be and not risk propagating a fungus or some other disease with your clippers.

Pests and Diseases

You should know about a few pests and diseases if growing Aeonium undulatum succulents.

The most common pests are:

• Snails (Aeonium undulatum can be a host for slugs)
• Whiteflies
• Mealybugs
• Scale insects

The most common disease that Aeonium undulatum is susceptible to is stem rot. This will happen if the plant has been watered with water that isn’t clean or has too many watering cycles in a row without letting it dry out between each cycle.

Symptoms include browning, wilting, and graying at the tips of leaves on top of a blackened root system.

There’s not much you can do besides pot up healthy cuttings from the plant and try to nurse it back to health while also keeping an eye out for any signs of new infections.

How to Care for Aeonium Undulatum in Winter

Winter care for Aeonium undulatum differs slightly from that of other succulents.

This plant needs a lot of light, so you should keep it in a sunny location with lots of sun exposure. 

It would be best to keep Aeonium undulatum out of drafty areas to prevent it from drying.

The Aeonium undulatum does not handle cold temperatures well.

The best way to keep Aeonium undulatum alive in cold temperatures is by bringing it inside or wrapping the plant with a cloth and placing it near a window with plenty of sun exposure.

You should also remove any dead leaves from your succulent plant during springtime. This will make sure that all parts are receiving enough light.

How To Propagate Aeonium Undulatum (Stalked Aeonium)

Aeonium undulatum can be propagated by cuttings, leaves, offsets, or seeds.

Cuttings

To propagate aeonium undulatum by cutting, take a healthy offshoot (branch) and remove any flowers or leaves.

Cut the branch near a leaf joint with a clean cut to avoid damaging the plant’s vascular system.

Allow the Aeonium cuttings to dry in a shaded area for one day before potting up into a soilless mix that will keep water from pooling around the base of the stem.

Water sparingly until new growth appears; then, regular watering is recommended.

Propagation takes an average of three to six weeks when appropriately done but may take twelve months if mishandled.

Leaves

Succulents can also be propagated from a leaf.

Take a healthy, non-flowering leaf and remove the petiole or stem with a clean cut.

Allow it to dry for a day before potting it into the soil without fertilizer in a well-lit area with plenty of air circulation.

It is best to water the succulent very sparingly until new growth appears. Once new growth appears, it is best to water regularly.

When done correctly, it takes one to four weeks for succulents to propagate from leaves. Still, it may take twelve months if not handled properly.

Offsets

Aeonium undulatum can also be propagated by offsets, a plant that grows along the ground from a mature rosette.

Take a healthy offset (not too shaggy) with its roots intact and pot into a soilless mix without fertilizer in a well-lit area.

When propagating through offsets, the best way to water succulents is to avoid watering until new growth appears, then sparingly but regularly.

When done correctly, this process takes one to three weeks for succulent propagation through offsets, though sometimes up to a year.

Seeds

Aeonium undulatum also produces a seed pod that can be germinated to grow a new plant.

Take a healthy, mature (not old and dried) seed pod and extract the seeds with a clean-cut as close to the pod’s base as possible.

Allow it to dry one day before potting into a soilless mix without any fertilizer in a well-lit area without too much air circulation.

A controlled approach is best to water aeonium undulatum when propagating through seed. 

Too much water will dampen the soil, and too little water can cause a lack of oxygen to inhibit germination.

Allow it to dry out before watering again. Then, regular watering is recommended after new growth appears.

Propagation through seed takes an average of six weeks when appropriately done but may take up to a year if mishandled.

Aeonium undulatum care is essential for propagation success.

Ensure that any cuttings, leaves, offsets, or seeds are healthy with no flowers or leaves attached.

They must be moist without being wet and have enough light exposure (at least one side of the plant) to grow properly.

Is the Aeonium Undulatum Toxic?

The Aeonium undulatum is not toxic to humans or animals.

However, some people are allergic to the plant’s sap, so it is best not to touch an Aeonium unless you have a glove. 

Final Thoughts

Aeonium undulatum care and propagation can be a fun and rewarding hobby.

In addition, Stalked Aeonium plants are a beautiful and rewarding addition to a garden.

They’re easy to care for and bloom with bright colors that add a pop of color in the winter months when most other flowers have died away.