Aeoniums are one of the most ornamental of all the evergreen succulents. They are belong to Crassulaceae, a big family of succulents that include many other popular and commonly grown succulents. Name of Aeoniums is originated from Greek aionion meanin everliving. The genus Aeonium includes more than 35 species of tender, rosetted, leaf succulents mainly from the Canary Islands but also found in Madeira, Morocco and Ethiopia. These succulent plants vary in size from small herbs almost flat against the ground to 100-120 cm woody shrubs with stout basal stems supporting a round rosette. Flowers are panicles of numerous small yellow or white star shaped florets.

Some members of Crassulaceae looks similar to Aeoniums. Echeverias in particular are often confused with Aeoniums and there are several other rosette forming succulents as Pachyverias, Graptopetalums, Graptoverias and Dudleyas. There is a simple way to make separete Aeoniums from other rosette forming Crassulaceas: Aeonium’s leaves are attached to the stems with loose fibrous bands so that when a leaf is pulled away, the stem is intact with only a transverse line showing where the leaf was attached.  The other rosette Crassulaceas have succulent attachments and their being pulled off the stem leaves a divot in the stem.

Aeoniums are easy to grow ornamantels if their demands known. Most Aeoniums come originally from the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, with a few oddball species from several isolated parts of Central and North Africa. The climate of the Canary Islands is fairly Mediterranean so these plants are perfectly adapted to many similar climates around the globe. Most are moderately drought tolerant, mildly frost tolerant, but only moderately heat tolerant as well, and dependent on bright light to full sun. They tolerate cool, frost free conditions during the winter if kept dry.

The roots of Aeoniums are pretty wimpy and hair like with all the water-storing parts of the plants being in the stem and leaves. These wimpy roots are prone to drying out and many of these plants decline if not keep moist for at least most of the year. Many Aeoniums will produce aerial roots that grow right out of the stems, particularly if the stems are getting long and leggy, or fall over.

Most Aeoniums are winter growers looking their best when temperature is moderate and water plentiful. As summer approaches many will curl their leaves in and go into a form of dormancy. Hot summer sun will damage Aeonium leaves and some will curl up and in as a protective response.

Many Aeoniums are monocarpic and will die after flowering. However, non-flowering offsets on the plant will survive. New plants can be propagated from rosettes.
Pests of Aeoniums include aphids, whitefly and mealy bugs. As with other Crassulaceae do not use Malathion and related insecticides. Watering with a systemic insecticide containing Imidacloprid will prevent infestation by most pests. The sap of Aeonium lindleyi is a traditional antidote to the toxic sap of Euphorbias e.g. E. canariensis

Aeonium arboreum is a succulent, subtropical subshrub of the genus Aeonium. It is native to the hillsides of Moracco. It may reach 80-100 cm tall,  bears rosettes of leaves. A large Aeonium arboreum produces an impressive panicle of small yellow flowers and then dies. The plant usually offsets along the stem before dying. Non-flowering rosettes on a flowering plant survive and can be propagated. The ordinary green Aeonium arboreum is commoner in nature but seen less frequently in cultivation. Several varieties have been described. In temperate regions it needs to be grown under glass.

Aeonium arboreum cv. Schwartzkopf (Zwartkop)   This selected cultivar has a large rosette of almost black succulent leaves which is often seen as a feature plant in summer bedding. There are several similar cultivars with black rosettes. There is also a white variety (var. albovariegatum).

Aeonium tabuliforme  is another highly ornamental from the Canary Islands. It is an amazing and highly ornamental plant, but should be confined to pot in cultivation.  A flattened, stemless rosette of tightly-packed leaves up to 25 cm diameter. Each leaf has a ciliated margin. This succulent plant is monocarpic and generally a biennial. When about to flower, the centre rises to surround the flower spike of many yellow flowers.

Aenonium haworthii a native to Canary Islands. This shrubby species has a dense bushy habit and grows up to 40-50 cm high. The short, erect, freely branching stems bear many rosettes of thich, bluish-grey leaves with red margins. It is a tough, long lived species which is popular as container plant for porches and patios.