Kiwi Aeonium haworthii [ee-OH-nee-um, hay-WOR-thee-eye] is native to the Canary Islands and Morocco but now grows in areas with similar climates, such as Southern California.
In temperate regions, it makes a great houseplant.
Aeonium plants belong to the Crassulaceae (stonecrop) family of succulents and the genus Aeonium.
The kiwi variety is unique for its kiwi-colored rosettes, providing strikingly bright color to any porch or balcony throughout the year.
Kiwi Aeonium, is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub-like plant with clusters of small rosettes from the Aeonium genus.
Kiwi is a hybrid of the popular Aeonium haworthii succulent, but its exact origin remains a mystery.
Aeonium Kiwi Care
Size and Growth
Aeonium kiwi is a sub-shrub, meaning it only produces woody growth near the base and doesn’t get very tall.
These succulents typically only reach about 2’ – 3’ feet with an equal spread. The plant produces multiple rosettes, each measuring about 3” – 5” inches.
The spoon-shaped leaves appear dark green near the base and lighter near the top with the upper leaves achieving a kiwi-colored appearance.
The edges of the upper leaves at times have a reddish or purplish color. The kiwi Aeonium, doesn’t follow the same growth cycle as most succulents.
The active growing season is during the winter and remains dormant during the spring and summer.
Flowering and Fragrance
These plants display yellow flowers in the summer. They appear in clusters and don’t produce a noticeable scent.
Light and Temperature
Kiwi Aeonium is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12, covering parts of the Southwest.
Grow in full sun or partial shade, whether grown indoors or outdoors.
When growing the plant indoors, place near a bright spot without direct sunlight.
If possible, move it outdoors for the summer months.
Watering and Feeding
Allow the soil to dry out between watering but check regularly.
Due to the small, shallow root system of the kiwi aeonium plant, it requires a little more water compared to other succulents.
Avoid pouring water over the plant when watering. Water the soil to keep the rosettes from getting oversaturated.
Soil and Transplanting
Use sandy, well-drained soil. The potting soil should remain mostly dry.
If the soil becomes waterlogged after watering, add organic matter or pumice to improve drainage.
Transplant every few years to freshen the soil or when the plant outgrows its container.
The plant only grows as large as the container allows. If the plant doesn’t reach the full size of 2’ – 3’ feet, move it to a larger pot.
Grooming
As this drought-tolerant plant ages, the upper leaves may start to fall.
This eventually results in a leafless stem. Cut the denuded stem below the lowest leaves. Toss the stem or use it to propagate the plant.
Propagating Kiwi Aeoniums
Propagating Aeonium plants is easy from cuttings or offsets.
- As with many other succulents, kiwi aeonium produces offsets freely.
- It’s also possible to propagate aeonium kiwi from seed.
- However, as the plant is a hybrid, propagating from seed doesn’t provide consistent results.
- The seedlings may not resemble the parent plant.
A stem cutting provides the easiest method for propagation.
The cuttings may take root any time of the year but propagating in the spring or summer provides faster results.
- Take 3” – 6” inch cuttings.
- Place the cuttings in a warm spot to dry out for several days.
- The cut end of the stem should develop a callus.
- Remove the lowest leaves from the plant and pot in a container filled with fast-draining soil.
- Keep the cuttings in a bright area and water lightly.
After about four weeks, the cuttings should take root and start producing new growth — transplant to new plants to their permanent containers.
Propagating with offsets is also easy.
- The offsets appear around the base of the plant.
- Wait for these young plants to develop their root systems.
- Cut the connecting stem and remove the offsets.
- If pulling offsets which haven’t developed a root system, follow the same methods used for stem cuttings.
- Cut the undeveloped offsets from the mother plant and allow the cut end to callus over before potting.
- Don’t move young plants directly into full sun.
- Slowly acclimate the plants to brighter conditions, starting with partial shade.
- Over seven days, slowly move the plant from partial shade to full sun.
Aeonium Kiwi Pest or Disease Problems
Aeonium kiwi is virtually disease and pest free and not known to produce toxic effects.
However, aphids and succulent mealybug pests may occasionally attack the plant.
Spray cold water on the plant to get rid of aphids.
Use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the mealybugs.
If these methods don’t work, treat the plant with an insecticide such as neem oil.
Suggested Aeonium Kiwi Uses
Aeonium kiwi is an excellent choice for succulent gardens or rock gardens.
Thanks to its striking colors, it also looks great on its own in a container near a window or on a porch.