How to Grow Aeonium Kiwi
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Aeonium Kiwi
Aeonium haworthii var. kiwi
succulentAeonium Kiwi is a striking variegated succulent that forms tight rosettes with tri-colored foliage featuring cream, green, and reddish-pink hues. This slow-growing, compact cultivar is prized for its ornamental foliage and works well in containers, rock gardens, and as houseplants. It produces small yellow flowers in summer and maintains its vibrant coloring year-round with proper light.
When should you plant Aeonium Kiwi in your zone?
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Example Aeonium Kiwi timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Aeonium Kiwi
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Aeonium Kiwi
Around Aug 15≈ 120 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Aeonium Kiwi dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11; can be grown indoors in cooler climates as a houseplant
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Get my Aeonium Kiwi timeline →Growth Stages
Rosette Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plant develops tight rosette form with tri-colored leaves (cream, green, pink)
Keep soil slightly moist but never soggy. Provide bright light. Avoid cold drafts. Do not fertilize until established.
Vegetative Growth
2-4 monthsRosette expands and fills out; variegation intensifies with adequate light; plant remains relatively compact
Maintain bright light for best coloring. Water only when soil is completely dry. Fertilize sparingly with diluted cactus fertilizer in spring-summer.
Dormancy/Winter Rest
3-4 monthsGrowth slows significantly; plant may appear less vibrant; minimal changes in size
Reduce watering to minimal levels. Keep in coolest location available (but above 50°F). Protect from frost.
Flowering
2-4 weeksTall flower spike emerges from center of rosette with small yellow star-shaped flowers
Do not remove flower spike prematurely. After blooming, the main rosette dies but produces offsets. Continue light watering during flowering.
Offset Production
4-8 weeksAfter flowering, the main rosette declines and baby rosettes (pups) form around the base
Allow offsets to develop on parent plant until 1-2 inches tall, then carefully separate and root in dry succulent mix.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Isolate plant; spray with isopropyl alcohol or neem oil; repeat every 7-10 days until clear
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Increase humidity slightly; spray with water or miticide; ensure good air circulation
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Cease watering; repot in fresh dry soil; improve drainage; remove affected roots if present
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Remove by hand; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil weekly
Uses
Container and Indoor Gardening
HouseholdAeonium Kiwi is perfect for decorative containers, succulent arrangements, and bright windowsill displays. Its compact size and striking variegated foliage make it an attractive accent plant for homes and offices. [source]
Low-Maintenance Landscaping
HouseholdExcellent for xeriscaping and drought-tolerant garden designs in mild climates. Requires minimal water and maintenance once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners. [source]
Living Succulent Arrangements
CraftPopular in mixed succulent planters, terrariums, and fairy gardens. The tri-colored foliage provides visual interest alongside other succulents with different textures and colors. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe yellow flower spikes attract bees and other pollinators in summer months, providing a late-season nectar source in areas with limited flowering plants. [source]
Harvest Tips
Aeonium Kiwi is an ornamental plant, not harvested for food. For propagation: collect offsets after flowering when 1-2 inches tall, allow to dry 3-5 days, then plant in barely moist succulent soil. Avoid disturbing the plant unnecessarily.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Aeonium Kiwi gets its name from the kiwi fruit, whose colors it resembles—the red and green tones mimic the fruit's distinctive appearance when cut in half.
- 🌱 Unlike many succulents, Aeoniums are monocarpic in their main rosette, meaning the mother plant flowers once and then dies, but it prolifically produces offsets before dying, ensuring the plant's continuation.
- 🌱 The variegation intensifies and becomes most vibrant when the plant receives maximum light; indoor-grown specimens may be more solid green than those grown in bright conditions.
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