Aeonium ‘Firecracker’ Succulent Live Plant – 3-4 inch Rosettes, Indoor/Outdoor

Overview

Introduce a touch of dramatic color and unique texture to your plant collection with the Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant. This captivating succulent is a hybrid, resulting from a cross between Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ and Aeonium simsii, belonging to the Crassulaceae family. Native to the Gran Canaria Island in the Canary Islands, it thrives in well-lit environments, showcasing its distinctive coloration. The ‘Firecracker’ develops 3-4 inch wide rosettes that are a stunning dark reddish-black, contrasting beautifully with brilliant green centers. Its lanceolate leaves feature narrower tips and ciliate margins, forming a low mound that typically reaches 6-12 inches in height. This evergreen clustering succulent is celebrated for its compact growth habit and striking visual appeal, making it a favorite among succulent enthusiasts.

The Firecracker aeonium care is relatively straightforward, allowing even novice gardeners to enjoy its beauty. With proper light exposure, its leaves will deepen to a rich purple-red, creating a dynamic display as the inner leaves wrap up while the outer ones spread out, resembling an open peacock. This plant is not just beautiful but also quite resilient, forming numerous offsets that create a tidy and attractive presence. Whether used as a groundcover, a specimen in a garden, or a charming container plant, the Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant promises to be a focal point.

Key Benefits

The Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent choice for various gardening styles and preferences. Its unique characteristics contribute to both aesthetic appeal and ease of maintenance.

• Stunning Visual Appeal: Features dark reddish-black rosettes with brilliant green centers that deepen to purple-red in bright light, providing a dramatic focal point.
• Compact Growth Habit: Forms a tidy, attractive plant with a central rosette and numerous offsets, making it suitable for small spaces, containers, or groundcover.
• Drought-Tolerant: As a succulent, it requires minimal watering, making it an ideal choice for water-wise gardening and busy individuals.
• Versatile Placement: Thrives both indoors in well-lit environments and outdoors in appropriate climates, offering flexibility in decoration.
• Low Maintenance: Requires relatively simple care, especially concerning watering and soil, perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners seeking an easy-to-grow plant.
• Unique Foliage: The lanceolate leaves with ciliate margins contribute to its distinctive texture and shape, enhancing its ornamental value. This dark foliage succulent stands out from other varieties.
• Evergreen Nature: Maintains its vibrant appearance year-round, providing continuous beauty and interest in your garden or home. This evergreen clustering succulent ensures constant color.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper Firecracker aeonium care ensures the vibrant health and striking coloration of your plant. This succulent thrives in specific conditions that mimic its native environment. For optimal growth, provide plenty of sunlight. A well-lit and well-ventilated balcony is ideal for indoor cultivation, as closed environments can hinder air circulation and potentially lead to issues like mealybugs. If growing outdoors, ensure it receives bright, direct sunlight for several hours a day to encourage its deep purple-red hues.

Watering should be adjusted according to the season. During its summer dormancy, reduce watering frequency to about once every 20 days, applying water at night when temperatures are lower. A small amount along the edge of the pot is usually sufficient. In its active growing season (winter), water more regularly but always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. For soil, a slightly higher configuration of granular soil is best, especially for indoor plants where ventilation is less prevalent. A mix of 60% granular soil and 40% peat soil is recommended to ensure good drainage and prevent waterlogging, which is crucial for the health of this Crassulaceae family plant. When potting, ceramic pots are preferred over plastic or clay due to their balanced permeability, preventing both excessive water retention and rapid water loss.

The optimal growing temperature for the Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant ranges from 64-82°F (18-28°C). As a winter-growing succulent, it can tolerate temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C) in winter, but it’s best to maintain around 41°F (5°C) for a peaceful dormancy. During cold periods, reduce watering and cease fertilization. Humidity levels typical of average households are suitable; this succulent does not prefer overly humid conditions. Providing these care essentials will allow your dark foliage succulent to flourish and display its full, magnificent color.

Size & Details

The Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant is characterized by its compact and appealing form. Mature plants typically form a low mound, reaching a height of 6-12 inches and spreading similarly. Each rosette measures approximately 3-4 inches in width, displaying the distinctive dark reddish-black and brilliant green coloration. This plant is a prolific clumper, producing numerous offsets around its central rosette, which contributes to its dense and attractive appearance. It grows at a moderate rate, steadily filling out its space.

When shipped, plants typically arrive in a nursery pot with soil for smaller sizes (e.g., 2 inch). Larger plants (4 inch and above) may be shipped bare root to ensure their health and safety during transit. This method helps prevent damage and reduces stress during shipping. The evergreen clustering succulent is known for its resilience and adaptability once established in its new home. Expect a similar plant to the one pictured, though natural variations in shape and color may occur due to individual plant genetics and growing conditions. With proper Firecracker aeonium care, this plant will establish quickly and begin to thrive, bringing its unique beauty to your garden or indoor space.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does the Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant get? A: This succulent typically forms a low mound, reaching 6-12 inches tall and wide. Its individual rosettes are usually 3-4 inches across, creating a compact and attractive clustered appearance.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant can thrive both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, it requires a well-lit and well-ventilated spot. Outdoors, it prefers full sun in suitable climates.
• Q: How much sunlight does the dark foliage succulent need? A: This plant needs plenty of sunlight to maintain its vibrant dark reddish-black and purple-red coloration. Provide bright, direct sunlight for several hours daily for best results.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Firecracker aeonium care is considered relatively easy, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced succulent enthusiasts. Its main requirements are adequate sunlight and infrequent watering.
• Q: What condition will the plant arrive in? A: Smaller plants are typically shipped in their nursery pot with soil. Larger plants (4 inches and above) are often shipped bare root to ensure optimal health and prevent damage during transit. You will receive a very similar plant to the one shown in photos.
• Q: What type of soil is best for this Crassulaceae family plant? A: A well-draining soil mix is crucial. A recommended blend is 60% granular soil and 40% peat soil, especially for indoor growing, to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
• Q: How often should I water my evergreen clustering succulent? A: During its summer dormancy, water sparingly, about once every 20 days. In its active growing season (winter), water more frequently but always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
• Q: What is the optimal temperature range for the ‘Firecracker’ aeonium? A: The optimal growing temperature is between 64-82°F (18-28°C). It can tolerate winter temperatures down to 28°F (-2°C), but it’s best to keep it around 41°F (5°C) during dormancy.
• Q: Can I use the Aeonium Firecracker succulent live plant as groundcover? A: Absolutely! Its clustering habit and spread make it an excellent choice for groundcover in suitable outdoor climates, creating a dense and attractive display.
• Q: What kind of pot should I use for this succulent? A: Ceramic pots are recommended due to their balanced permeability, which helps prevent both excessive water retention and too rapid drying, promoting healthy root development for your Firecracker aeonium care.