Aeonium tabuliforme (tabulaeforme) / 20 seeds

A perfect example of nature’s symmetry, Aeonium tabuliforme is a low-growing evergreen succulent that looks like a mass of fleshy, hairy, bright green leaves in the form of flat rosettes that are produced on short unbranched stems, usually on vertical surfaces. A rosette of leaves grows up to 18 inches across. The leaves overlap each other and are 3 to 5 inches long and waxy smooth, and are bordered with white, silvery-gray or brownish hairs due to which they look slightly furry.  Aeonium tabuliforme looks beautiful when it grows star-shaped yellow flowers on tall stems during the springtime.

The epithet tabuliforme is a Latin word that means “table-shaped” or ‘flat’.

Aeonium tabuliforme is endemic to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It prefers moist, north facing cliffs and ledges at low altitude. It may be biennial or perennial and is grown under glass in temperate regions and requires excellent drainage. Its leaf color is at its peak bright green in full sun, although it tolerates light shade. The cultivar ‘Variegata’ features darker green leaves with white margins.

Aeonium tabuliforme has won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Aeonium tabuliforme needs a bright location with plenty of direct sunlight all through the year. If it doesn’t get sufficient light, the leaves become deformed and elongated and eventually die. You should choose a sunny and warm spot on a south window for this plant.

Aeonium tabuliforme has a relatively small, shallow root system and needs moderate watering just to keep its roots slightly moist. Make sure that the top 1-2 cm of the soil is dry, before watering. It’s better to water too little than too much. Aeonium tabuliforme prefers to be watered very sparingly during the rest period i.e., summer. It needs water just enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out. Like any other succulent, it doesn’t like waterlogging. Therefore, excess water should be able to drain out easily or should be poured out of the container after watering as excessive wetness soon causes root rot. During the winter, watering should be just enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling.

A substrate mixture of 60% nutrient-poor soil and 40% mineral components, such as perlite, lava rocks, gravel and some quartz is the ideal soil to grow Aeonium tabuliforme. It should be well permeable to water so no water can accumulate after watering.

Aeonium tabuliforme thrives in warm temperatures between 18-degree C and 23-degree C. during the winter, it prefers temperatures around 12-degree C and as much direct sunlight as possible. It doesn’t tolerate temperatures below 10-degree C. you should bring it inside in a warm room during frosty weather.

Feed Aeonium tabuliforme with a weak solution of succulent fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growth period. But never feed during the rest period. Apply fertilizer directly on top of the soil only.

Aeonium tabuliforme can be propagated by seeds sown at 66-75-degree F (19-24-degree C) in spring or by cuttings of rosettes.

Aeonium tabuliforme is relatively disease-free, although it may be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids. But it has a short lifespan and dies after flowering. It also needs to be protected from overwatering. It’s also deer-resistant and salt tolerant.

You can choose to keep your Aeonium tabuliforme compact or bushy. If you  want to keep it compact, you should trim it. But it’s recommended to wait until fall when temperatures drop down for minimum 4 weeks, before trimming. This is for avoiding damage during summer dormancy.

Repotting of Aeonium tabuliforme is usually done in the spring or fall. Of course, repotting should be avoided in the summer as it is the plant’s dormancy period. Depending on how fast the roots become pot-bound, you’ll have to repot every 2 to 3 years.