Greenovia Green Rose Buds

Greenovia Green Rose Buds (Aeonium aureum 'Greenovia') is a small succulent, up to 20cm tall and 40cm wide, whose solitary rosettes of green leaves close up tightly in summer until they look like rose buds. It is a plant that earns a double take on a table or in a rockery, and it is hardy and drought tolerant once established.

Why you'll love it

• The rose bud look. In summer the leaves fold in until each rosette resembles a green rose, which makes a bowl of them look like a bouquet that never wilts.
• Small and tidy. It stays under 20cm in height, so it fits shelves, small pots and the front of a rockery.
• Hardy once established. Drought tolerant and unfussy, it needs only light watering and two feeds a year.
• Pots, rockeries and rooms. It grows outdoors in gravelly beds and containers, and indoors in a bright spot.
• Easy to give. A potted rosette makes a living gift for a plant lover, or for yourself.

Where it works best

Shallow bowls and pots. Group several rosettes in a wide, shallow dish with gritty mix, and the tight green shapes echo a bunch of garden roses.

Rockeries and gravel gardens. Plant 30cm apart among stones, where drainage is sharp and the rosettes can show off their form.

Bright rooms. On a sunny sill or a well lit shelf indoors, it keeps its shape and needs very little attention.

Growing Greenovia Green Rose Buds in Australia

Position and climate. Choose a bright position with morning sun, and protect it from hot afternoon sun, which can sunburn the foliage. It suits warm temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical gardens, handles only a light frost, and does well in pots anywhere.

Soil. Plant in well drained, gritty soil. In a pot, use a cactus and succulent mix and keep the rosette just above the surface.

Water and feed. Give small drinks in the growing months, and feed twice a year, as spring begins and again as autumn begins.

Pruning. No pruning is needed. Pick off dead lower leaves as they dry, and expect the rosette to loosen again when the weather cools after summer.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Greenovia Green Rose Buds as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small rosette that grows slowly into a neat, round form, so choose it for its shape, not for fast cover.

Availability of the tube depends on our grower, who does not always have stock. A sold out tube simply means none is ready, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Succulents for pots and gardens
• Succulents for hot climates
• Plants for rockeries
• Succulent care in Australia

Common questions

Why has the rosette closed up like a bud?

That is its summer habit. The leaves close tightly in the heat and look like rose buds. It is normal, not a sign of trouble, so keep watering light.

How big will it grow?

Up to 20cm tall and up to 40cm wide. It forms solitary rosettes, so it stays neat and compact.

Can I keep it indoors?

Yes. Give it a bright position with morning sun, and keep it away from hot afternoon sun through glass, which can sunburn the leaves.