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4.3 out of 5 (67 experiences)


Also known as
Tree Aeonium, Tree Aeonium, Tree Houseleek, Irish Rose and Atropurpureum Forma Cristata
Taxonomy
Aeonium arboreum
Aeonium
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales

How to care for Zwartkop

How often to water your Zwartkop

every 12
Zwartkop needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Tree Aeonium in your home

a window
Zwartkop love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Zwartkop does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Zwartkop in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Zwartkop

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Zwartkop after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Zwartkop is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Zwartkop thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Zwartkop requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Zwartkop is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Zwartkop prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Zwartkop is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
Fertilizer
Zwartkop grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Zwartkop to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Zwartkop is native to Macronesia, and East Africa to Yemen.
Flowers
Zwartkop produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
Zwartkop grows in a rosette pattern, with leaves neatly arranged in a circle. New growth will emerge from the center.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zwartkop can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Zwartkop can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Zwartkop. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.
Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Zwartkop
Zwartkop
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












Get succulent soil from a home improvement store like Lowe’s or Home Depot, it helps it stay alive better. Make sure to have a pot with drain holes in the bottom, and not a miniature pot, around 4-6 inches should do. This plant craves sun light, and when it gets enough, it will turn towards the sun and turn a dark, rich red/purple color, so make sure to put this plant in a place with a lot of sunlight. It needs to be watered about every 6 days plus or minus but if you forget , no worries, it’s leaves will wrinkle but soon after you water it, the leaves will plump up again since this is a resilient plant.


