Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ Succulent Live Plant – Easy Care, Green & Red

Overview

The Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent is a captivating live plant renowned for its unique rosette form and striking coloration. Part of the Crassulaceae family, this succulent is native to the Canary Islands and brings a touch of exotic beauty to any space. Its leaves are typically a lush green, with the tips developing a beautiful reddish hue, especially when exposed to adequate sunlight. This particular variety is often called ‘Salad Bowl’ due to its large, open, and bowl-like rosette shape. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an attractive, low-maintenance plant. As a Crassulaceae family plant, it shares characteristics of resilience and drought tolerance, making it a perfect addition for busy individuals or beginner gardeners.

This Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent can grow up to 12 inches in height, forming impressive, mature specimens over time. In the spring, it may surprise you with delicate flowers, adding another layer of visual interest. Its robust nature and minimal demands make it a truly rewarding plant to cultivate. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting your plant journey, this succulent offers an inviting and fulfilling experience, thriving with proper care and attention.

Key Benefits

The Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent offers numerous advantages, making it a highly desirable plant for various settings and lifestyles. Its aesthetic appeal combined with its easy-going nature ensures a delightful experience.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: This succulent features large, attractive rosettes with vibrant green leaves and distinctive red tips, providing a beautiful focal point in any plant arrangement or garden. The ‘Salad Bowl’ form is particularly eye-catching.
• Low Maintenance: Known for being an easy care succulent, it requires minimal watering and attention, making it perfect for beginners or those with busy schedules. Its drought-tolerant nature means it can withstand periods of neglect.
• Adaptable Growth: Suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments in appropriate climates, this succulent thrives in containers or as part of a succulent garden. It adapts well to various light conditions from full to partial sun.
• Beginner-Friendly: Its resilient nature and straightforward care requirements make it an ideal plant for those new to gardening, offering a high success rate and encouraging a love for plants.
• Air Purification: Like many plants, succulents contribute to a healthier indoor environment by helping to filter air and produce oxygen, improving overall air quality in your home or office.
• Unique Flowering Potential: In the spring, mature specimens of this Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent can produce delicate flowers, adding an unexpected burst of color and charm to the plant.
• Drought Tolerant: Its succulent nature allows it to store water in its leaves, significantly reducing the need for frequent watering and making it a sustainable plant choice.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels. Success hinges on providing the right balance of light, water, and soil. These plants thrive in conditions that mimic their native Canary Islands habitat, which means plenty of sunshine and well-draining soil. For optimal growth, ensure it receives full to partial sun. If growing indoors, place it near a bright window where it can get several hours of direct or very bright indirect light. Insufficient light can lead to etiolation, where the plant stretches out in search of light, losing its compact ‘Salad Bowl’ shape and vibrant coloration.

When it comes to watering, the soak and dry method is best for this succulent plant care. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering is the most common cause of succulent demise, leading to root rot. A porous, well-draining soil mix is crucial. Consider using a cactus or succulent specific potting mix, or amend regular potting soil with perlite or pumice to improve drainage. Ensure your pot has a drainage hole to prevent water from sitting at the bottom. The ideal temperature range for your Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent is between 60°-75°F (15.6-23.9℃), and it prefers a humidity level of 40-60%. Protect it from temperatures below 40°F (4°C) as it is not frost-hardy. Fertilization is generally not heavily required; a diluted succulent fertilizer once or twice during the growing season (spring/summer) is sufficient. With these simple tips, your green red succulent will flourish.

Size & Details

The Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent is typically provided as a live plant, varying in size at the time of purchase. Smaller plants, often around 2 inches in diameter, are shipped with their pot and soil to ensure minimal transplant shock. Larger specimens, including those 4 inches and above, are commonly shipped bare root, a method that promotes healthier root development and reduces stress during transit. This succulent has the potential to grow up to 12 inches in height, forming a substantial and impressive rosette. Its growth rate is moderate, allowing it to develop into a mature plant within a few growing seasons, given ideal conditions.

The shape and color of the plant you receive may vary slightly from the photos, as each live plant is unique. However, you can expect a very similar plant to the one shown, exhibiting the characteristic green leaves with potential red tips. This Crassulaceae family plant is ready to be potted upon arrival, or integrated into an existing succulent arrangement. Its mature size makes it an excellent choice for larger containers or as a statement piece in a rock garden. Expect vibrant foliage and robust growth, especially during its active growing season in cooler temperatures.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does the Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent get? A: This succulent can grow up to approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in height, forming a large, impressive rosette shape that resembles a salad bowl. Its size can vary based on growing conditions and pot size.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it thrives in USDA zones where temperatures do not drop below 40°F. Indoors, it needs a bright location with plenty of sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This succulent requires a lot of light. For best growth and coloration (especially the red tips), it should receive full to partial sun, ideally 6 or more hours of bright light daily.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent is known as an easy care succulent, making it great for beginners. It’s drought-tolerant and forgiving of occasional neglect, provided its basic needs for light and drainage are met.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Smaller plants (e.g., 2-inch) typically arrive in their pot with soil. Larger plants (e.g., 4-inch and above) are often shipped bare root to ensure healthier roots and reduce shipping stress. You will receive a very similar plant to the one pictured.
• Q: How often should I water my green red succulent? A: Water using the soak and dry method. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. This usually means watering every 2-4 weeks, depending on temperature and humidity.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this succulent plant care? A: A porous, well-draining soil mix is essential. Use a specialized cactus or succulent mix, or amend regular potting soil with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to improve drainage.
• Q: Will my Aeonium urbicum ‘Salad Bowl’ succulent flower? A: Yes, mature plants can produce flowers, usually in the spring. These flowers add an extra decorative element to the plant.
• Q: What is the ideal temperature for this succulent? A: This succulent prefers warmer temperatures, ideally between 60°-75°F (15.6-23.9℃). It is sensitive to cold and should be protected from temperatures below 40°F (4°C).
• Q: Is this a good plant for beginners? A: Absolutely! Its low maintenance requirements and robust nature make it an excellent choice for those just starting their journey with succulents and house plants.