Aichryson is a succulent plant in the Crassulaceae family. It is native to the Canary Islands, the Azores Islands, Portugal, and Morocco. The genus comprises 15 species.
Description of Aichryson
The stem is slightly branched, with opposite, rounded-ovate leaves resembling hearts (hence the nickname "love tree"), covered in small, light-colored hairs. The color is dark green, occasionally with red, white, and yellow specks. When damaged, the foliage emits a distinctive odor.
Flowers are paniculate or corymbose, color from beige to red.
Types of Aichryson for the home
Today, only five varieties of Aichryson can be grown indoors:
| View | Description | Leaves | Flowers and their blooming period |
| Home | A shrub hybrid developed by scientists. Grows up to 30 cm. | Small, have soft white hairs, and form rosettes. | The flowers are yellow and have a pleasant, delicate aroma. April – October (with proper care). |
| Sedum | A subshrub plant with straight shoots, growing up to 40 cm. | Broad, club-shaped, and sticky to the touch, the buds are yellowish-green with reddish speckles. | Golden, forming racemose inflorescences. April – May. During cold weather, it sheds its leaves and does not tolerate excessive moisture. |
| Spreading or loose | Grows up to 40 cm. | Diamond-shaped, located on elongated petioles. | Small, yellow, clusters form. April – October. After this period, the tree sheds its leaves but continues to grow. |
| Winding | A small bush growing up to 30 cm. | Pale green, diamond-shaped. Has a short petiole. | Golden. April – October. |
| Point | The shoots are brown. | They are presented in the form of rosettes located on elongated petioles. | Yellow flowers form a corymbose inflorescence. This bloom begins in April and continues for six months. |
Caring for Aichryson by Season
When caring for Aichryson at home, you need to pay attention to the season of the year:
| Parameter | Spring/summer | Autumn/Winter |
| Lighting and location | The light is bright but diffused. It's recommended to place it on a west- or east-facing windowsill. If placed on a south-facing window, it will need to be covered with a curtain. Rotate the plant occasionally, otherwise the crown will not be symmetrical. | A well-lit location is essential. Place the plant in an east- or west-facing window. Extend the daylight hours with grow lights, providing 8-10 hours of light. |
| Humidity | It feels comfortable in dry air, but occasionally needs a warm shower and spraying. | Humidification is stopped. |
| Temperature | +20…25 °С. | +10…12°C. Overwintering at higher temperatures negatively impacts the tree's appearance. Subzero temperatures will cause death. |
| Watering | Moderate, do not overwater. Once every 2 weeks. | Reduced to once a month. |
| Top dressing | Once every 14 days. Use nitrogenous agents. | They are suspending. |
| Trimming | During the growing season, this will allow the crown to form and the aichryson to rejuvenate. | Prohibited. |
Planting, replanting, pot, soil
The plant isn't picky about soil composition or quality, so you can prepare your own soil for the initial planting. A mixture of turf, leaf mold, and coarse river sand, in a ratio of 4:1:1, is ideal. You can also use a ready-made succulent soil mix.
Aichryson has shallow roots, so shallow pots are perfectly suitable for growing it. A clay pot with several drainage holes is a good option.
The plant doesn't require frequent repotting. This is done only when the Aichryson becomes overcrowded in its old pot. Spring is considered the optimal time.
Step by step process:
- Water the plant generously a few hours beforehand. It will be easier to remove it from the pot if the soil is moist.
- The soil is carefully shaken off the roots and washed under running warm water.
- The plant is inspected, broken branches and dry and rotted root areas are removed, and the plant is left in the open air for several hours to dry.
- A drainage layer consisting of brick chips, expanded clay, and gravel (at least 3 cm) is placed at the bottom of the new container. Fresh substrate is poured on top.
- The plant is carefully removed from the old pot and placed in the center of the new container. The voids are filled with soil, which is then lightly compacted.
- After planting, the plant is not watered; it is moistened only after 4-5 days.
Reproduction
The tree is propagated by seeds and cuttings.
When using seeds:
- They are sown in a container with pre-prepared soil (leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1).
- A film or glass is placed on top of the plant to create greenhouse conditions; the seedlings are ventilated daily and watered if necessary.
- After approximately 14 days, the first shoots appear, which are transplanted into other containers with soil intended for adult plants.
- After another 3-4 weeks, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots.
During the entire period of seed germination, it is necessary to provide good lighting and a temperature within the range of +15…18 °C.
To propagate by cuttings, the apical shoots are cut from the plant and thoroughly dried. A mixture of sand and succulent soil is used as a rooting substrate. Next, the love tree is repotted in soil suitable for mature plants and provided with optimal growing conditions.
Difficulties in caring for Aichryson
During the process of growing Aichryson, certain difficulties may arise, including attacks from diseases and pests:
| Problem | Cause | Elimination |
| Olive-gray, water-soaked spotting on foliage. The disease quickly spreads to buds and stems. | Gray rot. | Remove all damaged areas of the plant. Repot the plant in a sterile pot and add new soil. Water with solutions of copper sulfate, Skor, and Fundazol for 2-3 weeks. |
| Black spots on shoots, dying of leaves. | Root rot. | Trim off all affected areas and repot the plant in a new container. Soak the root system in a mixture of water and Ordan or Previkur for 3-5 minutes. |
| Gray or brown growths. The soil becomes unnaturally black. | Scale insect. | Visible pests are controlled by lubricating the plant with alcohol. For large numbers of insects, use solutions of Metaphos and Actellic. |
| Thin threads entwining the stems, yellowing of the foliage. | Spider mite. | Apply a thick foam, hold it on the plant for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse under a warm shower. Severely affected areas are treated with ethyl alcohol. Acaricides such as Omite, Borneo, and Apollo are used three times at weekly intervals (the sprayed plant is placed in a plastic bag with the pot and left there for 2-3 days). Water with a decoction of cyclamen tubers. Prevent the appearance of pests by spraying the plant with onion infusion. |
| Lack of flowering. | The plant is less than 2 years old (they don't bloom at this age). There's too much empty space in the pot. Overwatering. Not overwintering properly. | Wait until the plant reaches maturity. Repot the flower into a smaller container. Reduce the frequency of watering. |
| Wrinkling and drying of foliage. | Lack of hydration. | Adjust the watering regime. |
| Yellowing of leaves and rotting of the root system. | Over-watering of the soil. | Adjust watering, remove all affected areas and transplant the plant into a new pot. |
Top.tomathouse.com explains: signs about the tree of love
There are several signs associated with the tree of love:
- If aichryson grows well in the house, it means the home is filled with love and happiness.
- The plant is capable of channeling all the negative energy present in an apartment. It cleanses rooms of evil.
With proper care, Aichryson will grow healthy and beautiful, which will not only decorate your interior but also rid your home of negative energy.
Reviews and advice from gardeners on growing Aichryson
The fastest-growing plant in my house! Aichryson is just what a budding gardener needs!
Hello to all those who are not indifferent to indoor plants!
Today I wanted to step away from the cosmetic focus and share with you my experience growing such a miracle as Aichrizon.
The plant appeared in my house not so long ago, only last spring, however, I have already mastered its care well enough and can quite easily supplement this thread with a fresh review.
Aichrizon (popularly known as the "Tree of Love")
Aichryson is directly related to a genus of succulent plants that belong to the Crassulaceae family. This plant prefers to grow in rock crevices. In the wild, it can be found on the Canary and Azores Islands, Madeira, Portugal, and Morocco. This genus comprises 15 species, including herbaceous perennials, annuals, and subshrubs. The name of this flower is derived from two Greek words: ai, meaning "always," and chrysos, meaning "golden." Aichryson bears a clear resemblance to the closely related money tree.
If you ask me to briefly describe Aichrizon, I will tell you the following:
- grows and develops at lightning speed
- does not particularly need additional feeding
— feels good on any windowsill or anywhere in the apartment/house
VISUAL OF THE PLANT
Leaves
The plant has small, rounded, slightly hairy, dark green leaves, typically arranged in small rosettes. If the leaves are damaged, the plant may emit a slightly unpleasant odor.
Escapes
Well-branched; not woody. However, the basal part is stronger than the lateral shoots.
Bloom
My Aichryson hasn't bloomed yet, as it's too early for it to bloom. Typically, the plant blooms only 2-3 years after being potted.
What additional sources say about flowering
Flowering occurs in April or May. After the plant finishes flowering, the rosette of leaves that produced the flower stalk dies.
Growth rate
Aichryson's growth rate is simply off the charts. Since mid-autumn, my plant has produced a decent number of shoots. The leaves are literally "popping up" by the hour.Crown
Lush, its formation is assumed.
PLANT CARE
Lighting, watering, temperature, air humidity
I don't know about others, but my plant has started growing vigorously on the least sunny windowsill in my house. Furthermore, the spot I placed the Aichryson in is still excessively damp, but it turns out it thrives in these conditions! Winter temperatures on the windowsill where the Aichryson "lives" don't exceed 19°C (65°F).Regarding watering, I initially trusted the Aichrizon to thrive on a light watering regimen. However, I noticed the plant was actively shedding leaves because of this. When I started watering it a little more frequently, about every four days, everything improved!
Trimming
I don't pamper my plant with pruning. Unless someone close to me asks for a cutting, then of course...
To form a standard tree or a neat crown, Aichryson requires pruning. This involves trimming weak stems, and to create a fuller bush, pinching the tips of young shoots. In the spring, pruning of elongated stems is done.
Top dressing
I haven't bought any special fertilizers yet, as the plant thrives without them. However, I do water it once every 10 days with two succinic acid tablets diluted in water. I use two 0.25 mg tablets per 0.5 liters of water. I generally use this recipe primarily for my Orchid plants, but the Aichryson plant gets a little help, too.
Fertilize during periods of intensive growth (spring and summer) once every two weeks. Use a low-nitrogen, complex fertilizer for succulents.
Transfer
Just a few days ago, my Aichryson was transplanted from its temporary pot to its permanent one. When repotting, I used medium-sized expanded clay for drainage and a general-purpose soil for deciduous houseplants.
This plant requires annual repotting, and it should be kept in a tight pot. Each new pot should be only slightly larger than the previous one. To prepare a suitable potting mix, combine leaf mold, turf, clean sand, and compost in a ratio of 1:4:1:1. Don't forget to add a good drainage layer to the bottom of the pot before planting (expanded clay is recommended).
RESULT
Aichryson is a beautiful and completely unpretentious plant that is suitable for any beginning gardener.
My rating is 5+
Recommended for growing and breeding!
Advantages
Neat, beautiful
Evergreen, unpretentious plant
Beautiful
Easy to accept
Does not require special care
Does not require good lighting
It grows very quickly.
Flaws
No
Mrs.Hanna27
recommends
I'll tell you about two types of Aichryson. It's the most unpretentious tree. Just water it regularly and you'll be happy. I'll also tell you about care and propagation.
Aichryson (Tree of Love)Description from the Internet
Aichryson (Aichryson), also known as the "love tree," is a genus of succulent plants in the Crassulaceae family. This plant prefers to grow in rock crevices. In the wild, it can be found on the Canary and Azores Islands, Madeira, Portugal, and Morocco. This genus comprises 15 species, including herbaceous perennials, annuals, and subshrubs. The name of this flower is derived from two Greek words: ai, meaning "always," and chrysos, meaning "golden." Aichryson bears a clear resemblance to the closely related money tree. I have two varieties of Aichryson.
Aichryson domestica ordinary
Appearance
A clearly defined thick stem and thin branches indicate branching.
Although the stem is thick, it is very delicate and can be easily broken or damaged.
It really looks like a tree.
The leaves are not thick, thin, slightly hairy.
Care
Caring for Aichreson is very simple:
* Watering: Water thoroughly, ensuring all the soil in the pot is moist. Then forget about it for a week. Allow the soil to dry out by 2/3. Adjust this according to the room temperature and the season. More frequently in summer, less frequently in winter.
It’s easy to determine whether a flower has enough water or not:
when the leaves are alive and elastic, everything is fine, the watering is correct,
when they fall off and are not elastic, and fall off when touched, there is not enough water,
when they rot - a lot.
* Lighting: The plant prefers light, but not direct sunlight. Although mine is in full sun. In the summer, I'll move it to a different window.
* Temperature. In summer 20-25 degrees
In winter, the temperature is around 8 degrees, so the plant needs to be dormant. I don't follow this regime, so it doesn't bloom.
Grows quickly with minimal care.
Last year in the summer I planted a shoot of approximately this size.
Now it is already a large, branched plant.
It's at my dacha. We rarely visited it in the winter, watering it once a week or even every two weeks. The air temperature wasn't exactly 20 degrees Celsius, but about 15 degrees Celsius.
(About 8 degrees is recommended).
The only thing it needs besides watering is to be turned periodically.
Mine have been standing the whole winter with one side facing the sun, and it was stretching in that direction, and it ended up growing in that direction, and the stem bent in that direction from the weight.
What else? The more space you give the plant, the larger it will grow and the more comfortable it will be.
Pruning/propagation
Since my flower was growing to one side, I decided to trim it a bit. I'll also try propagating it.
I cut off two branches.
I put a support for the main plant to level it.
Here is the result.
I put two sprouts to dry for 2 hours.
I prepared a pot with soil. Cactus soil is recommended, but I use a 50/50 mixture of all-purpose potting soil and cactus soil.
I water the soil generously and plant the sprout.
I put it in a bag to create a greenhouse. You can cover it with a jar.
It'll stay like this for about a month while it takes root. Sometimes I open it for half an hour to air it out once a day or every other day. Not regularly, just when I remember ☺
I don't water the plants because I watered the soil thoroughly initially. I start watering when I remove the bag.
I planted one sprout and left one to take root.
I generally like to plant them directly in soil; it helps the seedlings take root faster, and they take longer to root in water. I just didn't have an extra pot handy.
These are the roots I got in just 2 weeks.
A mature plant needs to be repotted every year, as it grows quickly and the pot will soon become too small.
Top dressing:
I also have a bush at work. (I'm on maternity leave now, so I can't take a photo.)
I usually started feeding it in the spring. Twice a month, with cactus food, sometimes just general-purpose fertilizer.
But this bush is still young (one year old) and has enough nutrition; the soil still has nutrients. If I repot the plant, I'll start feeding it in the summer.
Smell
If you damage the stem or tear off a leaf, the plant will smell very unpleasant, and not only the plant, but your hands too. Your hands will also be a little sticky. Basically, it's gross.
As long as you don't touch the plant, it won't smell. 😁
Aichryson variegated
The second type of Aichryson that I have is Aichryson variegated.
Care is almost completely the same as for a regular Aichryson: watering, temperature control, fertilizing, planting and propagation.
This Aichryson grows as quickly as the usual one.
However, it is a little more capricious: it needs to be shaped; if it is pruned poorly, it will not be very beautiful.
My sister cut off the main thick stem almost to the root. 😒 The side branches are growing, but the flower is no longer very beautiful.
If there is a lack of moisture, leaves fall off faster.
But it is more indifferent to the temperature regime: it bloomed without hibernation: I did not lower the temperature for the winter.It grows just as fast
The main difference between this Aichryson and the domestic one is its appearance and color.
The leaves of the variegated Aichryson are smaller and elongated. They are not fleshy and lack hairs.
But they are very beautiful: the leaves themselves are green, with a white border at the tips.
If you place the aichoison under a lamp, the color of the edging will turn pink.
It also blooms differently: it has white flowers, while the regular one has yellow flowers.
In winter, of course, I didn’t illuminate it, so it’s white.
About 2 weeks ago I started to illuminate it and the leaves started to turn pink.
I also decided to propagate it a little. I cut off just one sprout.
I planted it the same way as the regular one.
Conclusion:
How do I care for my Aichryson? I just water it occasionally and turn it. That's it! It grows quickly and is easy to maintain.
You don't have to follow the temperature recommendations in winter, but then the plant won't bloom, but will grow just fine.
Advantages
Neat, beautiful
Evergreen, unpretentious plant
Beautiful
Easy to accept
Does not require special care
It grows very quickly.
Flaws
It smells bad
zosayolga
recommends
