Crassulaceae
Aeonium simsii (Sim's Aeonium) Care Guide
Aeonium simsii
This slow-growing succulent thrives in bright light with some protection from the harshest midday sun, and needs a gritty, fast-draining substrate. Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry out completely between waterings, and cut back sharply in summer when the plant naturally rests. It tolerates light frost down to around -1°C but is best kept dry and sheltered through winter cold.
Every 10 days
Bright indirect
10° - 24°C
30% - 50%
Categories
What is Sim's Aeonium?
Sim's Aeonium (Aeonium simsii) is a easy-care plant from the Crassulaceae family. Aeonium simsii is a compact, mat-forming succulent endemic to the rocky highlands of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, where it grows on cliffs and outcrops between 500 and 1,900 meters elevation. It forms dense clumps of short, branching stems tipped with cup-shaped rosettes of yellowish-green le...
Sim's Aeonium grows up to 20cm, watering every 10 days, 10°C – 24°C, 30–50% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Sim's Aeonium tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Sim's Aeonium is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 20 days.
How to Care for Sim's Aeonium?
TLDR: Sim's Aeonium needs Bright indirect, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between 10-24°C with 30-50% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Sim's Aeonium?
Soak the soil thoroughly, then let it dry out completely before watering again, roughly every 7-12 days during active growth and much less in summer dormancy.
How Much Light Does Sim's Aeonium Need?
Give it bright light for most of the day, but filter or ease off direct midday sun to prevent scorching or overly stretched growth.
What Is the Best Soil for Sim's Aeonium?
Plant in a gritty, well-draining mix, such as a cactus/succulent blend amended with extra perlite or pumice, in a pot with a drainage hole.
What Pot Should You Use for Sim's Aeonium?
Use a shallow, unglazed terracotta pot with a drainage hole so excess moisture evaporates quickly and the roots stay dry.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Sim's Aeonium and Where Does It Come From?
Aeonium simsii is a compact, mat-forming succulent endemic to the rocky highlands of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands, where it grows on cliffs and outcrops between 500 and 1,900 meters elevation. It forms dense clumps of short, branching stems tipped with cup-shaped rosettes of yellowish-green leaves marked with brownish longitudinal stripes on their undersides. Unusually for the genus, individual rosettes of A. simsii can flower repeatedly and survive, unlike almost all other Aeonium species, whose rosettes die after a single bloom.
How to Propagate Sim's Aeonium?
Avoid taking cuttings during summer dormancy, as they root poorly then; the winter-to-spring growing season gives the best results.
- 1 Select a healthy rosette with about 5 cm of stem attached.
- 2 Cut the rosette away using a clean, sharp blade.
- 3 Let the cut end callus and dry in a shaded spot for several days to a week.
- 4 Insert the callused stem into a dry, well-draining succulent substrate.
- 5 Withhold water until roots form, then water sparingly.
Materials needed:
Offsets tend to establish faster than stem cuttings since they often already have small roots attached.
- 1 Locate small offset rosettes forming at the base of the clump.
- 2 Gently separate an offset, keeping some root or stem tissue attached.
- 3 Allow the wound to callus for a few days before planting.
- 4 Plant in well-draining soil and water lightly only once established.
Materials needed:
How Big Does Sim's Aeonium Grow?
TLDR: Sim's Aeonium can reach up to 20cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
20cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Sim's Aeonium?
TLDR: Sim's Aeonium is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.
Meaning & Symbolism
As with many aeoniums, its perennial rosette form is often linked in folk tradition to longevity, echoing the genus name's Greek root meaning 'ageless' or 'eternal'.
Fun Facts
Aeonium simsii is the only species in its roughly 35-species genus whose individual rosettes can flower more than once and survive, rather than dying after a single bloom like other aeoniums.
It grows wild only on Gran Canaria, on rocky slopes and cliffs between 500 and 1,900 meters elevation.
Its low, mat-forming, spreading habit sets it apart from the taller, tree-like growth of relatives such as Aeonium arboreum.
In the wild it hybridizes naturally with other Gran Canaria endemics like Aeonium canariense and Aeonium percarneum.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aeonium simsii toxic to cats and dogs?
Why do the rosettes on my Aeonium simsii open up in summer?
How cold-hardy is Aeonium simsii?
What's the easiest way to propagate Aeonium simsii?
Why is my Aeonium simsii dropping leaves or rotting?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
| Cushion Bush | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
