Aeonium tabuliforme (Haw.) Webb & Berthel.
Flat-rosette aeonium
Aeonium tabuliforme is one of the most spectacular and recognisable aeoniums in the world, with a single perfectly flat, disc- or table-shaped rosette that can reach 50 cm in diameter. It is endemic to the humid cliffs of northern Tenerife, where it grows adhered vertically to rock faces. It is a monocarpic plant: it flowers only once after several years of growth and dies after setting seed, leaving a striking floral stem up to 60 cm tall.
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Overview
| Category | Classification |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Aeonium |
| Growth Habit | Solitary, completely flat and acaulescent rosette (no visible stem), adhering directly to rock. The plant does not branch; all energy is concentrated in a single rosette that grows slowly for 3–7 years before flowering and dying. |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened (NT) per IUCN criteria; its natural populations are limited to cliffs in northern Tenerife and are sensitive to habitat disturbance and illegal collection. |
| pH Target | 6.0 – 7.5 |
| Type | Rocky, well-drained, preferably in lean mineral substrate |
Origin & Habitat
Morphology
Very numerous leaves (100–200 in adult rosettes), spatulate, 3–6 cm, bright green with finely white-ciliate margins. They are so densely spiralled that they form an almost continuous, perfectly horizontal surface. The rosette can reach 50 cm in diameter.
ecoErect inflorescence 30–60 cm, highly branched, bearing hundreds of small yellow 6–8-petalled flowers from February to April. After fruiting the entire plant dies; it does not produce secondary rosettes. Seeds are very fine and numerous.
ecoPractically acaulescent in young and adult vegetative rosettes; the floral stem emerges from the centre of the rosette as an upright spike when the plant reaches reproductive maturity. No horizontal stem or rhizomes.
ecoReduced root system adapted to anchoring in small fissures of vertical rock. In cultivation, roots are shallow and do not require deep pots.
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Requirements
Soil & Substrate
Type
Rocky, well-drained, preferably in lean mineral substrate
groups Beneficial Associations
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Propagation Strategy
- 1 Harvest seeds when capsules open (May–June) and store cool and dry until autumn.
- 2 Sow on the surface of fine, moist substrate (1:1 peat:perlite) without covering seeds.
- 3 Cover with glass or plastic; maintain at 18–20 °C with bright indirect light.
- 4 Ventilate daily to prevent fungi; germination in 2–3 weeks.
- 5 Transplant individually when seedlings have a 1–2 cm rosette.
- 6 The rosette will reach an impressive adult size in 3–7 years.
Use wide, shallow pots (the rosette grows laterally, not vertically) made of terracotta.
Watering from above the rosette — water pooling in the centre rots the growing point.
Every 2–3 years, in September at the start of growth. The pot should be wider than deep.
Highly diluted liquid fertiliser (25% of recommended dose), low in nitrogen, once a month from October to March. Excess nitrogen distorts the perfect symmetry of the rosette.
Uses & Applications
Precautions / Toxicity
No known toxic properties relevant to humans or domestic animals.
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Plant Health
Centre-rot of the rosette — standing water in the central cavity is the greatest risk. Water only the substrate, never the rosette from above.
Mealybug (Planococcus citri) — can hide under basal leaves.
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"The completely flat form of A. tabuliforme is an evolutionary adaptation to growing on vertical rock surfaces: the rosette adheres to the wall and captures rain and mist running down the rock. It is one of the very few plants in the world with such a perfectly flat geometry. Remember it is MONOCARPIC — flowering is the end of the rosette's life cycle. Never buy a plant with a developed flower if you want to enjoy it long-term."
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Scientific Integrity
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Sources
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Discussion
Disclaimer
This species record is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Jardín Roca Negra does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data. Content is community-curated and may be subject to revision; it should not replace advice from a qualified botanist. This species may be toxic, invasive, or subject to legal restrictions — verify before handling or cultivating. Jardín Roca Negra accepts no liability for any harm arising from reliance on this information. Images are reproduced under Creative Commons or equivalent free licenses; credits are noted below each image.