Why are my aeoniums top-heavy?
Q How do I deal with my top-heavy aeonium? Vic Allen, Atworth, Wiltshire
A
Aeoniums are succulents, which make great pot plants that can go outside during the warmer months. The purpleleaved forms such as ‘Zwartkop’ are particularly popular. They form rosettes of leaves on the end of quite long stalks, growing to several feet, and can easily become top-heavy. This is simply dealt with by cutting back to whatever height you want the plant to branch from, even a few inches from the ground. New shoots will develop from dormant buds. You can root the top rosette if you like. Leave a stem about 10cm (4in) long and allow it to callus (heal over) for a few days and then pot up in a gritty cuttings compost. It’ll root in a few weeks.