Latin name: Aeonium ‘Medusa’
Common name: Medusa Aeonium 🌵
Native to the Canary Islands lineage of aeoniums, this architectural succulent forms tight, symmetrical rosettes with creamy variegation that can blush pink in strong light. Compact, slow-branching heads make striking container accents on sunny sills and shelves.
FLOWER DETAILS
Mature rosettes produce tall, conical panicles of many tiny, star-shaped yellow flowers. The bloom is bright and cheerful, creating a lively contrast against the variegated foliage. Note: the flowering rosette is monocarpic (it senesces after blooming) while offsets carry on.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
☀️ Light: Bright light to gentle direct sun (4–6 h/day). Protect variegation from intense midday summer sun behind glass.
💧 Water: Active (cool season): water when the top 2–3 cm of mix is dry. Summer dormancy: water lightly every 2–4 weeks to prevent shrivel.
🌡️ Humidity: Low–average household humidity is ideal; avoid persistently humid, stagnant air.
🪴 Soil: Very gritty, fast-draining mix (pumice/perlite + coarse sand + a little organic matter).
🏺 Potting: Use a shallow pot with large drainage holes; do not overpot. Rotate for even symmetry; remove spent rosettes after bloom.
🌱 Growth rate: Rosette expands ~3–6 cm per 6 months in active season; slows markedly in summer dormancy.
🐾 Pet friendly: Yes — generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT?
Variegated, stripe-like rosettes that blush in strong light = instant focal point.
Sculptural symmetry suits windowsills, sunny shelves, and minimalist desks.
Winter-active habit brings fresh growth when many plants are resting.
Compact footprint; easy to curate in bowls or mixed succulent planters.
Low water needs and resilient nature fit busy schedules.
AT ORANGE’S HOME
We love how ‘Medusa’ sits like a little sunburst on a warm terracotta dish, catching morning light and showing soft pink edges. It’s calm, tidy, and quietly dramatic—perfect for a bright nook.