Spot the structural tells among three flat rosette genera and avoid common mix-ups.
Core differences
- Echeveria elegans: flat rosette; powdery farina; leaves snap clean; stems usually short.
- Sempervivum tectorum: tighter, ground-hugging rosette; many offsets (“chicks”); tougher leaf tips.
- Aeonium arboreum: rosette atop woody stems; branching bouquets; leaves less powdery.
Care implications
Echeveria prefers bright sun and very fast drainage; Sempervivum is cold-hardy outdoors; Aeonium enjoys bright light but cooler temps in summer dormancy.
