The Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ succulent is vibrantly colored, with thin green and yellow leaves whose pointed tips turn pink in full sun.
Unlike many other succulents, Aeoniums do not like hot and dry weather. Their growing season is from winter to spring, when temperatures are cooler and they are summer dormant.
You may notice your Aeonium’s leaves thinning out and the rosette curling inwards during dormancy- this is to prevent water loss as the plant rests.
These are tips and tricks specific to Aeonium Kiwi plant care. For a general guide to taking care of all succulents, click here.
| Name | Aeonium ‘Kiwi’ |
| Sunlight | Full to partial sun |
| Water | Water when the top inch of soil is dry in the winter (about once a week) Water once a month in the summer |
| Soil | Well-draining, porous soil |
| Temperature | Cool and slightly damp. Cold hardy |
| Dormancy | Summer dormant |
| Propagation | Leaves, cuttings and offsets (cuttings work best) |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
Aeonium Kiwi Care:
Growth
This branched succulent can grow up to 3 feet tall, with each rosette able to grow up to 8 inches in width.
During the springtime, Aeoniums produce yellow, bell-shaped flowers that shoot up from the center of the rosette. Aeoniums are monocarpic, meaning they die after flowering.
Fortunately, Aeoniums will usually bloom after they have branched out and produced several offsets so you will still have a plant once the main one dies.
Aeonium Kiwi Sunlight
Aeonium Kiwi require bright sunlight to bring out their bright colors. However, they are also more prone to sunburning than other succulents, so finding the appropriate amount of light is a balancing act.
Provide your Aeonium with a few hours of bright sunlight per day. If you notice brown sunburn spots appearing on the leaves, move it further away from the window.
Once your Aeonium Kiwi is sunburned, the brown spots will not fade away and you have to wait for the leaves to grow out. To avoid sunburn, slowly transition your Aeonium Kiwi from shade to sun, increasing the light it receives each day.
Rotate the plant every few days so each side receives equal sunlight and grows evenly.
Aeonium Kiwi soil type and pH
For proper Aeonium Kiwi plant care, plant in a well-draining soil with a pH from 6.1 to 7.5 to prevent root rot. I have had good results mixing succulent soil with perlite in a 70:30 ratio.
Fertilizer
You can fertilize Aeonium once a month during it’s growing season, from winter to spring. Do not fertilize during the summer when it is dormant.
Planting Aeonium Kiwi
Aeonium Kiwis have shallow roots and do not require frequent repotting. When planting, a plain terracotta pot with a drainage hole is the best choice because it allows good airflow in the soil and helps prevent root rot.
Do not repot Aeoniums during their dormancy period, because this can cause extra stress on the plant when it is resting. Wait until it’s growing season (winter to spring) to transition containers.
Aeonium Kiwi Watering
Compared to other succulents, Aeoniums like more frequent waterings with less water each time. They are more tolerant of damp soil because they have fewer and thinner roots relative to other succulents.
Water your Aeonium about once a week during it’s active growing period, from winter to spring. Check that the top inch of soil is dry before watering. Let the soil dry completely in between.
During summer months, reduce watering to when you see the bottom leaves wrinkling (about once a month). Dormant succulents do not require as much water.
When watering, water the soil at the base of the plant. Make sure that water does not get into the top rosette of the Aeonium Kiwi or on it’s leaves because that can lead to rot. If you do get some water on these areas, wipe it off with a tissue.
In general, if your Aeonium is in a hotter and drier environment, it will require more frequent watering than if it were in a colder or more humid environments.
Learn more about how to water succulents
Aeonium Propagation
Aeoniums can be propagated from leaves, cuttings and offsets.
Wait until the winter time to obtain cuttings from your Aeonium. Do not propagate during summer dormancy.
Cuttings
Aeoniums are very easy to propagate from cuttings. Since they often branch out, you may have several stems to chose from. Pick one that is full of leaves to increase your chances of a successful propagation.
Take a pair of sharp garden shears and cut 3 to 4 inches below the main rosettes. Allow the stem to callous on the end (this will take about 3 days), then plant in well-draining soil. Water a week after repotting, and once weekly after that.
It will take about two weeks to see roots forming. Aeonium kiwis root quite easily.
Leaves
Propagating Aeoniums from leaves takes longer and is not as successful as propagating from cuttings, however it can still be done.
To obtain a leaf to propagate, wiggle it carefully off the plant. Make sure the leaf you choose is large and healthy. Do not choose wrinkled, small or dried leaves because they are less successful at propagating.
Pull the leaf carefully from the stem, ensuring you get the whole leaf and there is no piece left on the stem- whole leaves have a much better chance of propagating than torn leaves. Allow the leaf to callous for 2 to 3 days.
Once the leaf has calloused, put it on some soil. Spray the soil once a week with water and provide filtered sunlight. Leaf propagations need more water and less sunlight than their parents.
After a few weeks, a small rosette will form at the tip of the leaf. As the new succulent grows, it will absorb nutrients from the parent leaf and the parent leaf will dry up.
The new baby plant can be planted in its own small pot when it is about an inch wide. Now, you can water once a week and provide bright, filtered sun.
Offsets
Aeonium Kiwi offsets (pups) grow by branching off from the stem. Once the offset is about 1/4 of the size of it’s parent, you can carefully remove it using a clean pair of garden shears. Leave about 2 inches of stem so that you have enough room to plant the offset.
Allow the stem to callous for 2 to 3 days, then plant in a new pot. Water the new plant about 5 days after repotting so that it has a chance to settle in its new environment. Provide bright, filtered sun and water every 4 to 5 days.
Temperature
Unlike many other succulents, Aeonium Kiwi prefer cooler, wetter climates. Their optimal temperature is from 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C). They are cold hardy and can tolerate mild frost.
Excess humidity can cause root rot, so they should not be placed in humid rooms. A fan is a great way to improve air circulation.
Toxicity
Aeoniums are non-toxic are safe to grow around dogs, cats and other pets.
Common Aeonium Kiwi plant care problems
While Aeoniums are susceptible to several types of pests, they are resilient and can be saved from infestations if treated properly.
Mealy bugs
Mealy bugs are small, fuzzy, white bugs that like to crawl around in the nooks and crannies of plants. They secrete a white cottony substance, which you may notice as the first sign.
At the first sign of mealy bugs, immediately quarantine your plant away from the others. Check all of your other plants for signs of the pest. Mealy bugs spread quickly and other plants may be infected as well. Pay special attention to the nooks and crannies of your plants because they love those areas.
For the plants with signs of infestation, take a q-tip, soak it in rubbing alcohol and dab it at any bugs you see to kill them instantly. Also water the soil with rubbing alcohol to kill any eggs they may have left behind. Watering with alcohol does not harm your plant and gets rid of eggs in the soil. You will have to repeat this every other day for several days because mealy bugs take a while to completely go away.
Aphids
Aphids are small green or black insects that suck on the sap in plants. They are often found on the undersides of plant leaves and secrete a white substance that grows black mold.
To remove aphids, mix dish soap with water to create a soapy solution. Spray it on the plant wherever your see the bugs. This will not harm your plant. You can also use diluted neem oil (1 tablespoon of neem oil in 8 cups water) and spray that on the leaves.
You will have to repeat these treatments once every 2 to 3 days for several weeks until you no longer see any pests.
Why is my Aeonium losing leaves?
There are several reasons that could cause your Aeonium Kiwi to lose it’s leaves.
1. Normal Growth
It is normal for Aeoniums to drop their bottom leaves as they grow new ones.
However, if your Aeonium is dropping many of it’s upper leaves, it could be due to improper watering.
2. Under watering
If it has been a while since you last watered your Aeonium and the top inch of soil is dry, give it a deep watering and it should perk up within a day or two.
3. Over watering
Signs of an over watered Aeonium include:
- Bottom leaves of the plant are turning mushy or translucent
- The bottom leaves fall off easily
- The stem is turning black and losing it’s shape
This is a common problem and can be difficult to fix. Even though Aeoniums like damper soil than other succulents, they are still susceptible to root rot.
Remove the plant from it’s soil and remove any parts that have rotted (they will appear black and slimy). If the rot has progressed into the stem, cut off the stem until you have clean tissue without any signs of rot that feels firm.
Allow this cutting to dry out for several days then plant in fresh soil. Wait a week after potting to water again. Decrease your watering frequency to prevent rot again.
For a complete guide to fixing root rot, check here.
4. Aeonium Dormancy
Aeoniums also drop leaves during their dormancy period in the summer. If your climate is really hot and dry, and they have received very little water, Aeonium rosettes will close up and the leaves will curl inwards. This can lead to a very bare-looking plant.
Don’t worry, your Aeonium is not dying, it is just resting. It will appear this way for a few months. During this time, leave the plant alone- water only about once a month, do not fertilize, repot, or propagate.
In summary for Aeonium Kiwi plant care…
Aeonium Kiwis are beautiful, brightly colored succulents that will make a great addition to your plant collection. They are easily propagated from cuttings, so you can get one from a friend and share with others.
Have any more questions about Aeonium Kiwi care? Let me know in the comments below!
Learn more about general succulent care from these articles:
