Overview

Introduce a truly unique botanical specimen to your collection with the Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant. This remarkable live plant, often referred to as the ‘Dinner Plate Aeonium’ or ‘Saucer Plant,’ is celebrated for its strikingly flat, disk-shaped rosettes. Native to the Canary Islands and belonging to the Crassulaceae family, its leaves are a vibrant green, thick, and rounded, meticulously overlapping to form an intricate, swirling pattern. The rosettes can grow quite large, reaching diameters of up to 18 inches, making it a dramatic focal point in any garden or indoor display. In the spring, mature plants may surprise you with a beautiful display of flowers. This distinctive Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant is perfect for succulent enthusiasts and garden lovers looking for an easy-care for Aeonium Tabuliforme option that offers exceptional visual appeal.

Key Benefits

The Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant offers numerous benefits, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant parents. Its unique aesthetic and relatively easy care requirements contribute to its popularity.

• Striking Ornamental Value: The most prominent benefit is its highly ornamental appearance. The flat, perfectly symmetrical rosettes with their swirling leaf patterns are incredibly eye-catching and serve as a natural conversation starter. It adds architectural interest to any plant arrangement, both indoors and outdoors.
• Low Maintenance: Like many succulents, the Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant is remarkably low-maintenance. It thrives on neglect, requiring minimal watering and feeding, making it ideal for busy individuals or those new to plant care. This ease of care for Aeonium Tabuliforme makes it a rewarding plant to grow.
• Drought Tolerant: Hailing from arid regions, this succulent is naturally drought-tolerant. It stores water in its thick leaves, allowing it to withstand periods without watering, which is beneficial for water-wise gardening.
• Unique Growth Habit: Its characteristic flat, table-like growth habit is truly distinctive among succulents. This makes it a standout specimen in rock gardens, succulent bowls, or as a potted plant. The mesmerizing spiral succulent plant pattern is a unique feature.
• Adaptable to Containers: The Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant adapts very well to container living, allowing it to be easily moved indoors during colder months or used as a patio accent. Its compact yet broad form is perfect for shallow pots.
• Potential for Spring Blooms: While primarily grown for its foliage, mature plants can produce attractive yellow flowers in spring, adding another layer of beauty to this already stunning plant.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper care for Aeonium Tabuliforme ensures its vibrant health and impressive growth. These succulents thrive with specific conditions that mimic their native Canary Islands environment. They are part of the Crassulaceae family and share many care requirements with other succulents, but their unique form requires attention to certain details.

Light: The Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant requires a lot of light to maintain its compact, flat form. For optimal growth, it should receive full to partial sun. If growing indoors, place it in the brightest window available, ideally south-facing. Outdoors, ensure it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, but protect it from intense afternoon sun in very hot climates to prevent scorching. Insufficient light can cause the plant to stretch and lose its characteristic flat shape.

Water: The ‘soak and dry’ method is best for watering this succulent. 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. During its dormant period in summer (when temperatures are very hot), reduce watering significantly. In cooler, active growing periods (fall, winter, spring), it will require more frequent watering. Always check the soil moisture before watering.

Soil and Potting: A well-draining, porous soil mix is crucial for the health of your Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant. A specialized succulent or cactus mix is ideal. You can enhance drainage by adding perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to a standard potting mix. It is highly recommended to use a pot with a drainage hole at the bottom. This prevents water from pooling around the roots and helps avoid root rot. Repotting is generally needed every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its container.

Temperature and Humidity: These plants prefer warmer temperatures, ideally between 60°-75°F (15.6-23.9℃). They are not frost-hardy, so if you live in an area where temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C), it’s essential to bring them indoors or provide protection. The ideal humidity level for the Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant is around 40-60%. Avoid excessively humid environments, as this can lead to fungal issues. The sunburst succulent is quite resilient in dry air.

Fertilization: Fertilize sparingly during the active growing season (fall to spring) with a balanced, diluted succulent or general-purpose fertilizer. Avoid fertilizing during its summer dormancy. Over-fertilization can harm the plant. A light feeding once or twice a year is usually sufficient.

Pests and Diseases: Aeoniums are generally pest-resistant but can occasionally be affected by mealybugs or aphids. Inspect your plant regularly. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases, especially in humid conditions.

Size & Details

The Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant typically grows as a single, large rosette, though it can sometimes produce offsets. The diameter of the rosettes can reach an impressive 18 inches at maturity, creating a stunning, flat ‘dinner plate’ effect. When shipped, smaller 2-inch plants are usually sent with their pot and soil, providing a stable start for your new acquisition. Larger plants, typically 4 inches and above, are often shipped bare root without soil or pot to ensure safer transit and reduce shipping costs. This practice helps prevent damage and disease during shipping. Your plant will arrive ready for immediate potting in appropriate succulent soil. While the exact size and color may vary slightly due to natural growth and growing conditions, you will receive a healthy, vibrant plant similar to those pictured, ready to thrive in its new home. This unique spiral succulent plant is a slow to moderate grower, gradually expanding its impressive form over several seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does the Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant get? A: The rosettes of this succulent can grow quite large, typically reaching up to 18 inches in diameter when mature, creating a very striking flat, disk-like appearance.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it thrives in USDA zones 9-11. In colder climates, it is best grown in containers and brought indoors before the first frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: It requires a lot of light, ideally full to partial sun. Indoors, place it in a bright, south-facing window. Outdoors, ensure it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, but protect it from intense afternoon sun in hot regions.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant is considered relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners. Its main requirements are plenty of sunlight and infrequent watering using the ‘soak and dry’ method. Following proper care for Aeonium Tabuliforme guidelines will ensure its health.
• Q: What condition will the plant arrive in? A: Smaller 2-inch plants typically ship with their pot and soil. Larger plants (4 inches and up) are often shipped bare root to ensure their safety and health during transit. You will receive a healthy plant similar to the one shown in photos.
• Q: How often should I water my spiral succulent plant? A: Water only when the soil is completely dry. The ‘soak and dry’ method is best: water thoroughly, then allow the soil to dry out completely before the next watering. Reduce watering during its summer dormancy.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this succulent? A: A well-draining, porous soil mix is essential. Use a specialized succulent or cactus potting mix, or amend regular potting soil with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to improve drainage.
• Q: Will my sunburst succulent flower? A: Yes, mature Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plants can produce yellow flowers in the spring. However, they are primarily grown for their unique foliage.
• Q: What temperatures does this plant prefer? A: It prefers warm temperatures between 60°-75°F (15.6-23.9℃). It is not tolerant of frost, so protect it from temperatures below 40°F (4°C).
• Q: What is the Crassulaceae family? A: The Crassulaceae family is a group of succulent plants, known for their ability to store water in their leaves, making them highly drought-tolerant and often low-maintenance. The Aeonium Tabuliforme succulent plant is a proud member of this family.