Description: Aeonium balsamiferum at first glance is often mistaken for Aeonium arboreum but they are very different. Plants will often grow into very large bushes similar to A. arboreum, but will overall form a more closed compact rounded shape. The green/grey coloured foliage is slightly hairy and often has a very strong earthy Balsamic smell. Come summer the rosettes reduce dramatically becoming elongated like a opening rose bud, resembling rose bouquets.
Comparatively, Aeonium arboreum has very glossy shiny leaves with no hairs on the leaves. During the summer dormancy the heads often form a flat disc shaped rosette rather then becoming elongated as in A. balsamiferum.
Plant Care: This is a tough species and is well suited to growing in pots, as well as in the ground. Lightly prune the heads during the growing season (Autumn to Spring) to allow the plants to branch and maintain a compact shape. Makes an excellent landscape plant for tough situations.
Origins & Distribution: Canary Islands (Lanzarote)
Comments: This species is named after its strong earthy balsam smell, BUT this trait should not be relied upon for instant identification. This Balsam scent is not always noticeable and a lot of other Aeonium species also produce this smell, including look alike species such as Aeonium arboreum and holochrysum to name a small few.
Please read carefully before purchasing:
- Plants for sale are displayed in 75mm pots. You will receive the same or similar plant as in this photo. Please use this as a guide to the size of the plants available for purchase.
- Please refer to the postage and handling guide for information on how orders are posted, weekly cut off times and postage costs.