Aeonium Sunburst Grow & Care Guide

Aeonium Sunburst (Copper Pinwheel) is a perennial succulent herb of the Crassulaceae family and lotus palm. Its leaves are fleshy and arranged in a lotus shape. The middle is green to dark green. The edges have yellow and pinkish markings. The leaf margins have fine small Teeth, with small tips at the top. Aeonium Sunburst plant is small and peculiar in shape, and the leaves are colorful. It is suitable for small potted plants, which can be used for decorations, windowsills and other places.

Where to Grow Aeonium Sunburst

Aeonium Sunburst is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30° F (-1.1° C), it's best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun, but can also be grown indoors. Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. If planting Aeonium Sunburst indoors, place in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, such as near a southern-facing window (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere).

How to Grow Aeonium Sunburst

Aeonium Sunburst plant propagates easily through the stem cuttings. As mentioned above, it is a monocarpic succulent and dies after flowering. If the plant flowers, it's best to take some cuttings and start preparing for new growth. However, it typically takes several years for the sunburst to flower.

• Take the cutting from the plant using a sterile and sharp pair of scissors or knife.
• Make sure to cut the stems away from its main cluster.
• Allow the cutting to become callous for the next few days.
• Later, plant the cuttings in well-draining soil.
• Water generously regularly until the plant establishes.

How to Care for Aeonium Sunburst

Aeonium Sunburst Light Care

Contrary to its name, Aeonium Sunburst can get sunburned if directly exposed to the hot, strong rays of the sun. Although the “bruising” on its leaves will not harm it, the plant will do better in partial sun.
If you want copper pinwheel to adorn your succulent garden, plant it in an area that gets 6 hours of full to partial light from the morning sun.
If indoors, do not place aeonium sunburst near a window that reflects the mid-day or afternoon sun. Under this condition, the succulent’s leaves can still get sunburned.

Aeonium Sunburst Soil Care

Aeonium sunburst tolerates sandy, slightly dry soil. However, it cannot thrive without a little moisture. You need to provide a soil mix that has good drainage to prevent rotting. Regular potting soil with slightly loam characteristic is good for the plant.
Unlike other succulents, you cannot wait until the soil dry to water Aeonium sunburst. Make sure to provide enough irrigation during the growing season, especially in winter and spring.

Aeonium Sunburst Water Care

Like most types of succulents, the Aeonium sunburst has similar water needs. The plant should be watered regularly because of the plant’s small roots. However, we recommend that you thoroughly soak the plant in water and let it dry completely before watering again. For the summer the plant might lay dormant, and then it requires no water, except if the conditions are very dry.

Aeonium Sunburst Temperature & Humidity Care

These Aeonium sunburst plants prefer a Mediterranean climate—not too hot, not too cold, not too dry. Most Aeonium varieties are only hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. Growing Aeonium sunburst in moist shade will keep them growing in high heat, but their true growth season is winter to spring, when temperatures are cool (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) and damp. They may go dormant in summer and do not require excessive watering, except in excessively dry conditions. In extreme heat, their leaves will curl to prevent excessive water loss.

Aeonium Sunburst Fertilizer Care

Most Aeonium sunburst plants grow well without fertilizer and too much fertilizer can lead to weak, spindly growth and discoloration in otherwise healthy plants. The exception is for container-grown aeoniums, which can quickly exhaust their soil during the growing season. Usea slow release, 14-14-14 fertilizer that is specially formulated for cactuses and succulents. Apply it in spring after new growth emerges and again in midsummer. Use 1 teaspoon fore each 1 gallon of soil, and apply it evenly to moist soil.

Aeonium Sunburst Pruning Care

You don't need to prune Aeonium sunbursts for size or shape, because they stay naturally tidy and small. Regular trimming and grooming will help keep your Aeonium sunburst looking their best. Snip off any dead leaves or spindly, malformed stems at the base using sharp scissors or shears. Before pruning Aeonium sunburst, soak your pruning tools in full-strength household disinfectant for five minutes and rinse them thoroughly. Dead leaves and other garden debris sometimes find their way between the curved, tightly packed leaves of Aeonium sunburst. Instead of picking them out by hand, use a can of compressed air to remove the debris.

Aeonium Sunburst Pests and Diseases Care

Aeonium sunburst plant doesn’t face significant pests or diseases. The occasional slug, bird bite, scale, or mite may attack the plant. Neem oil for plants or horticultural soaps help in eliminating this issue. However, the soap sprays must be carefully used as high amounts lead to lesions and discoloration of the plant’s skin.
The most common issue this Aeonium sunburst plant faces is the rotting of roots, which is avoided by using well-draining clay pots and checking the percolation of the soil before planting. Ensure the roots are moist, and not soggy.

Aeonium Sunburst FAQ

Is Aeonium Sunburst Toxic for Cats and Dogs?

Aeonium sunburst does not appear in the list of plants that are toxic to cats and dogs that are featured on the website of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Why is my Aeonium Sunburst Succulent Dying?

Root rot is the leading cause of death for Aeonium sunburst as with other types of succulents.
Overwatering is the usual culprit for root rot. If you give Copper Pinwheel water while its soil is still moist, the roots become highly susceptible to rotting.
You will know if root rotting is taking place if you notice discoloration in the leaves and in some sections of the plant. Once you see this, remove the discolored areas right away by using a sanitized pair of sharpened scissors or a sterilized knife.
Remove the Aeonium sunburst plant gently from the soil. Cut off the roots that are rotting and allow the plant to dry out completely before re-potting in fresh well-draining soil.

Does Aeonium Sunburst Produce Flowers?

It may take several years, but Aeonium sunburst produces white flowers in the summertime.