Aeonium tabuliforme
Also known as: Dinner plate aeonium
The dinner plate aeonium: a stemless flat disc of hundreds of impossibly tiled leaves. It comes from Canary Islands (Tenerife), stays around Flat plate 15–45 cm across, and tolerates USDA 9b–11; keep dry in summer rain. Individual plants vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Key facts
- Genus: Aeonium
- Origin: Canary Islands (Tenerife)
- Mature size: Flat plate 15–45 cm across
- Hardiness: USDA 9b–11; keep dry in summer rain
- Toxicity: Non-toxic
Succulent at a glance
- Genus
- Aeonium
- Origin
- Canary Islands (Tenerife)
- Mature size
- Flat plate 15–45 cm across
- Growth habit
- A single flat disc of perfectly tiled leaves — no stem at all
- Leaf colour
- Bright green, dense geometric pinwheel
- Flower colour
- Yellow flower spike (then the plate dies — monocarpic)
- Hardiness
- USDA 9b–11; keep dry in summer rain
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Other names
- Dinner plate aeonium
About the Aeonium tabuliforme
The dinner plate aeonium: a stemless flat disc of hundreds of impossibly tiled leaves. One of the most geometric plants in cultivation. It is monocarpic — after several years it sends up one flower spike and dies, but pups often form at the base.
Care and cultivation
Aeoniums break the succulent rulebook: they grow in winter and rest in summer. Water actively during cool months, almost not at all in high summer when rosettes tighten and curl. They tolerate more moisture than most succulents during growth. A bare stem with a closed rosette is normal dormancy, not death. Light: Bright light with some direct sun; leaf edges curl in strong sun. Water: Weekly in summer-dormant regions: water lightly during the winter growing season. Use a Standard succulent mix with 30–40% grit.
Description
Aeonium tabuliforme is an Aeonium succulent from Canary Islands (Tenerife). The dinner plate aeonium: a stemless flat disc of hundreds of impossibly tiled leaves. One of the most geometric plants in cultivation. It is monocarpic — after several years it sends up one flower spike and dies, but pups often form at the base.
Identification
Look for: Bright green, dense geometric pinwheel leaves in a Flat plate 15–45 cm across form. Also answers to Dinner plate aeonium. The genus is Aeonium, which already narrows down the care requirements considerably. Nickname: 'Dinner plate aeonium'.
Common problems
Summer dormancy looks like dying (leaves curl and drop) — do not overwater • Mealybugs in rosette centres • Rosettes close up in bright heat •
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water my Aeonium tabuliforme?
Weekly in summer-dormant regions: water lightly during the winter growing season. Always let the soil dry completely between waterings, and water less in winter when growth slows.
How much light does Aeonium tabuliforme need?
Bright light with some direct sun; leaf edges curl in strong sun. If the plant stretches or loses colour, it needs more light.
Related succulents
Succulent information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the Aeonium tabuliforme, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.