Aeonium LilyPad is a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family, genus Echeveria. Although it belongs to the Echeveria genus, its appearance and leaf characteristics resemble those of the Haworthia genus. The leaves are thick and spoon-shaped, with inconspicuous tips, arranged closely in a rosette pattern. Depending on the environmental conditions, the color of the leaves gradually transitions between green and pinkish-orange. Unlike its aromatic counterparts in the Echeveria genus, Aeonium LilyPad emits a faint but pleasant fragrance from its leaves.
During the growing season (spring and autumn), Aeonium LilyPad requires ample water. Watering is necessary when the soil in the pot dries out quickly. Conversely, during the dormancy period (summer), watering should be reduced, and the soil should be allowed to dry out completely before watering again. It's essential not to water the leaves directly but along the edges of the pot. Avoid letting the soil in the pot remain dry or overly moist for extended periods. Some say Aeonium LilyPad becomes more fragrant with more sunlight, but excessive exposure can lead to sunburn. Therefore, it's best to place it in a location with indirect sunlight, especially during the summer when the plant is in dormancy. During Aeonium LilyPad's growing season, it should be placed in a sunny location while still avoiding too much direct sunlight. Partial shade is ideal. This way, Aeonium LilyPad's colors will be more captivating. When it rains, if Aeonium LilyPad is outdoors, be sure to provide shelter to prevent it from being exposed to prolonged rain, especially during the summer, to avoid root rot. Aeonium LilyPad should be placed in a well-ventilated area to promote optimal growth.
Since Aeonium LilyPad belongs to the Echeveria genus, it's not suitable for propagation via leaf insertion like other succulents in the Haworthia genus. Instead, it can only be propagated by sowing seeds or stem cuttings. However, due to the characteristic of Haworthia plants where branches die after flowering, no one wants Aeonium LilyPad to flower and produce seeds. Therefore, seed propagation is practically nonexistent, leaving stem cutting as the only viable option for propagation. While Aeonium LilyPad can be propagated via leaf insertion, the success rate is generally low, so it's not commonly recommended.
How to propagate Aeonium LilyPad via stem cutting? It's simple! First, choose a suitable season, such as spring or autumn, as these are Aeonium LilyPad's growing seasons. Choosing these seasons for propagation ensures fast rooting and a survival rate close to 100%. Next, select healthy branches, trim them neatly, apply a fungicide such as carbendazim or methyl thiophanate to the cut end, and let them dry in a cool, well-ventilated place for at least 3 days until the wounds are fully dried. Then, they are ready for cutting!
As for the propagation medium, sandy soil or pure vermiculite can be used. If you don't want to repot midway through, you can directly use pre-mixed potting soil for cutting. For Aeonium LilyPad during its growing season, the cutting medium will not have a significant impact on its survival rate. Insert the dried Aeonium LilyPad cuttings shallowly into the soil, ensuring they are firmly secured to prevent tilting. Then, move them to a cool, well-ventilated area with bright, scattered light and water the soil lightly to keep it slightly moist. With luck, they should root and survive in about two weeks. After that, you can move them to an environment with ample sunlight for regular care.
After Aeonium LilyPad cuttings have successfully rooted, their subsequent care is similar to other succulents: Provide ample sunlight during autumn, winter, and spring. When temperatures rise above 30°C in summer, move them to a cool, well-ventilated area, while controlling watering. Every 20 days, during a relatively cool period, water sparingly along the edge of the pot to prevent the roots from wilting. Follow the principle of "no watering when not dry, and thoroughly water when watering." If the temperature drops below 5°C in winter, it's advisable to move Aeonium LilyPad to a sheltered environment, similar to summer, with controlled watering. However, watering intervals should be longer, about 1 to 1.5 months, watering lightly along the edge of the pot during sunny midday periods on consecutive clear days.