Aside from their scientific names, many plants earn their casual names from their appearance, growth habits, or unique characteristics, and Aeonium tabuliforme or Aeonium Dinner Plate is no exception. The name might sound casual and a little funny, but it perfectly describes this succulent’s most striking feature—a wide, flat, circular rosette that looks just like a beautifully arranged dinner plate. It’s a plant that can easily catch your eyes whether it’s in a sunny garden bed or displayed indoors.
Native to the rugged, rocky landscapes of the Canary Islands, Aeonium Dinner Plate is perfectly adapted to its environment. The Canary Islands’ mild, Mediterranean-like climate, with warm temperatures and limited rainfall, has shaped the plant’s growth habits. Its flattened rosette form allows it to absorb maximum sunlight while minimizing water loss—an ingenious adaptation for thriving in harsh, dry conditions.
Typically found growing in cracks of rocks or on steep, sun-drenched slopes, this succulent is well-equipped to handle nutrient-poor soils and windy environments. Aeonium Dinner Plate has become a popular choice for gardeners around the world, particularly in regions with similar climates to its native habitat. Its unique shape and ease of care make it a favorite for rock gardens, container displays, and succulent arrangements. Its low, sprawling growth habit makes it ideal for shallow pots or ground covers, where its single, large rosette can be fully appreciated.
Unlike many succulents, Aeonium Dinner Plate doesn’t store much water in its leaves. Instead, it relies on regular hydration and thrives in cooler months, entering a dormancy period in the heat of summer. That is why caring for Aeonium Dinner Plate requires some understanding of its unique needs.
Can Aeonium Dinner Plate Grow Outdoors?
Aeonium Dinner Plate can grow outdoors in the right conditions. This succulent is native to the Canary Islands, where it flourishes in sunny, rocky landscapes with mild temperatures and low humidity. To replicate these conditions in your outdoor space, it’s important to provide the plant with plenty of bright, indirect light. In cooler climates or areas with mild weather, it can be grown outdoors year-round, as long as it’s protected from frost and extreme heat.
If you live in a region with hot summers, consider planting Aeonium Dinner Plate in a spot that gets morning sun and light shade in the afternoon to prevent the leaves from scorching. Raised garden beds, rocky areas, or well-draining soil are ideal locations, as they mimic the plant’s natural habitat and prevent water from pooling around its roots. Ensure the soil is a gritty, well-draining mix, such as a cactus or succulent soil blend, to avoid rot during rainy periods.
In colder climates, Aeonium Dinner Plate can be grown outdoors as a seasonal plant or in a container that can be brought indoors during the winter. It does not tolerate frost or freezing temperatures, so if the temperature regularly drops below 40°F, move the plant inside to a sunny windowsill or greenhouse until the weather warms up.
General Care
1. Lighting
Proper lighting is essential for Aeonium Dinner Plate to thrive and maintain its beautiful, flat rosette shape. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, this succulent needs bright, indirect light to perform at its best. Indoors, place it near a south- or east-facing window where it can receive several hours of indirect light each day. If natural light is limited, consider using a grow light to supplement its needs, ensuring it gets 10-12 hours of bright, indirect light daily. This helps the plant retain its compact, symmetrical rosette shape and prevents it from becoming leggy or flattened due to insufficient light.
When grown outdoors, Aeonium Dinner Plate thrives in locations that provide plenty of morning sunlight with some protection during the hottest parts of the day. An ideal spot gets at least 4-6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight daily. If you live in a region with mild climates, you can place the plant in full sun during cooler months. However, in areas with intense summer heat, ensure the plant receives partial shade in the afternoon to prevent the delicate leaves from scorching or drying out.
2. Water
Aeonium Dinner Plate has unique watering needs compared to many other succulents due to its thinner leaves, which don’t store as much water. This means it relies more on regular watering, especially during its active growing season in fall and winter, to stay hydrated and maintain its striking, vibrant rosette. During its active growing season in the cooler months (spring and autumn), water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. Give it a thorough soak, allowing excess water to drain completely, but avoid leaving it in standing water as it’s highly prone to root rot.
In the summer, when the plant enters dormancy, its water needs decrease significantly. You may notice the rosette looking a bit wilted or closed—this is normal for its dormancy phase. Water sparingly during this time, only enough to keep the roots hydrated and prevent the plant from drying out completely.
3. Soil and Fertilizer
Aeonium Dinner Plate thrives in well-draining soil that prevents water from sitting around its roots, as this can lead to root rot. A cactus or succulent mix is an excellent choice, but you can further enhance drainage by mixing in additional coarse sand, perlite, or pumice. If you’re planting outdoors, raised garden beds or rocky areas are ideal, as they mimic the plant’s natural habitat in the Canary Islands, where it grows in gritty, nutrient-poor soils. Indoors, always use a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape and avoid waterlogging.
Fertilizing Aeonium Dinner Plate helps support healthy growth and keeps its rosette vibrant and lush. During its active growing season in spring and fall, feed the plant once a month with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer designed for succulents. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can cause the plant to grow leggy or burn its delicate roots. In the summer dormancy period, stop fertilizing entirely, as the plant’s metabolic activity slows, and it won’t benefit from additional nutrients.
4. Temperature and Humidity
Aeonium Dinner Plate prefers mild temperatures between 65-75°F. It can tolerate occasional dips down to 40°F, but prolonged exposure to frost or freezing conditions can damage its delicate rosette and roots. If you live in a region with cold winters, it’s best to grow this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors when temperatures drop. Conversely, in hot climates, protect it from extreme heat and intense midday sun, especially during its summer dormancy, to prevent stress.
This plant is well-suited to average household humidity and adapts well to dry environments. High humidity, however, can increase the risk of fungal diseases, so ensure good airflow around the plant, particularly indoors or during damp weather. Outdoors, plant this succulent in an airy, well-ventilated area to avoid fungal problems.
5. Toxicity
Aeonium Dinner Plate is considered non-toxic to both humans and pets, making it a safe choice for households with children and pets. While it’s not meant to be ingested, accidental nibbles from curious pets or toddlers are unlikely to cause harm. However, as with any plant, it’s always a good idea to monitor interactions and place the plant in a secure spot if you’re concerned about pets or young children getting too curious.
Extra Care
1. Potting and Repotting
Aeonium Dinner Plate has a shallow root system, so it thrives in wide, shallow pots that accommodate its sprawling rosette. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling, as this plant is highly susceptible to root rot. Repotting is typically needed every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its container. Spring, before the plant enters dormancy, is the ideal time to repot. When repotting, use fresh, well-draining succulent soil, and handle the delicate roots with care.
For outdoor planting, choose a well-drained area such as a rocky garden bed or a raised planter that mimics the plant’s natural habitat. Ensure the soil is gritty and low in organic matter to avoid excessive water retention.
2. Pruning
Pruning helps maintain the plant’s shape, remove damaged or dead leaves, and prepare it for propagation. Use clean, sharp scissors to trim away any dried, yellowing, or unhealthy leaves at the base of the rosette. If the plant becomes leggy or uneven due to inadequate light, pruning the stretched stems can encourage compact, balanced growth. Regularly removing debris from around the base of the plant also helps prevent pests and rot.
3. Propagation
Aeonium Dinner Plate can be propagated through offsets or seeds. Offsets, or small baby rosettes, often form at the base of the parent plant. To propagate, gently separate the offset using clean scissors or by hand, ensuring it has some roots attached. Plant the offset in fresh, well-draining soil and water lightly until roots establish.
Seed propagation is another option, although it requires more time and patience. If the plant flowers and produces seeds, you can collect them and plant them in a shallow container with a sandy soil mix. Keep the soil slightly moist and place it in a bright, indirect light location to encourage germination.
Watch this video to learn how to grow and propagate succulents from offsets:
4. Seasonal Care
Aeonium Dinner Plate has an unusual growth cycle, being most active during spring and fall while entering dormancy in summer. During the active season, provide regular watering when the top inch of soil is dry, and ensure the plant gets plenty of bright, indirect light. Fertilize once a month with a diluted succulent fertilizer to support healthy growth. In summer, the plant begins dormancy, and it requires significantly less water. Reduce watering to once every few weeks, and place the plant in a slightly shadier spot to protect it from extreme heat. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy, as the plant is not actively growing. For regions with cold winters, bring outdoor plants indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F to protect them from frost. Place the plant near a bright window and continue its winter care routine indoors.
5. Blooming
Aeonium Dinner Plate is a monocarpic plant, meaning it blooms only once in its lifetime. When it flowers, it sends up a tall, dramatic stalk of small, yellow flowers. While the bloom is beautiful, it signals the end of the plant’s life cycle, as the rosette will die after flowering. However, if offsets have formed at the base, these can continue to grow and carry on the plant’s legacy.
To prepare for blooming, ensure the plant is healthy and well cared for throughout its life. If no offsets are present and the plant begins to flower, consider propagating seeds from the bloom to grow new plants. Although the original rosette will be lost, the plant’s beauty can live on through propagation.
Common Problems
Aeonium Dinner Plate is generally easy to care for but can encounter a few common issues. Overwatering is one of the biggest problems, as it can lead to root rot, causing yellow leaves and mushy stems. On the flip side, underwatering during its active growth season can cause the rosette to dry out, shrivel, or look stressed. Light is another critical factor—too little light can result in leggy, stretched growth, while too much direct sunlight, especially during summer, can scorch or burn the leaves, leaving them brown and crispy. Pests like mealybugs, spider mites, or aphids may occasionally appear, leaving sticky residue or causing discoloration on the plant. During its summer dormancy, the plant may naturally look wilted or less vibrant, which is normal and only requires reduced watering and some shade to protect it from heat stress. Frost can also be a problem, as Aeonium Dinner Plate is not cold-tolerant and needs to be brought indoors if temperatures drop below 40°F. With proper care, including attention to light, water, and protection from extreme conditions, these issues can be easily managed.
