Hey plant friends! It’s your girl Emily here, and today I’m spilling the tea on how I rescued my poor, stretchedout アエオニウム ‘Zwartkop’ (aka Black Rose) from the brink of disaster. This dramatic queen went from a sad, leggy mess to a stunning, darkrosette showstopper—and I learned some hard lessons along the way.
アエオニウム
The Problem: My Succulent Was Reaching for the Skies
Last spring, my beloved ‘Zwartkop’ started acting… weird. The stem shot up like it was trying to escape the pot, with leaves spaced so far apart you could fit a toothpick between them. And don’t even get me started on the lower leaves—soft, droopy, and falling off at the slightest touch.
My initial reaction? “But I water you! You get sunlight! Why are you like this?!”
The WakeUp Call: I Was the Problem
After some frantic Googling and scrolling through r/succulents, I realized my mistakes:
Light starvation: Even though it sat by a window, the glass filtered out too much UV, tricking my plant into stretching for more.
Overwatering: I kept poking the soil and watering the second the top felt dry, drowning the roots in soggy misery.
Terrible soil: Basic potting mix held moisture like a sponge, suffocating the poor thing.
The Fix: Tough Love & a Fresh Start
Chop and Prop
With a deep breath (and sterilized scissors), I lopped off the stretchedout top, let it callus for a few days, then stuck it in fresh, gritty soil. Two weeks later—roots! Meanwhile, the original stem sprouted three cute little side babies. Winwin!
Soil & Water Overhaul
I swapped the sad old dirt for a chunky mix (70% pumice/perlite, 30% potting soil) and adopted the “neglect is best” watering rule: only when the leaves get slightly wrinkly, then soak it thoroughly.
Sun & Air Therapy
I moved it outside to a sunny spot (morning light only—learned the hard way after a few scorched leaves). And airflow? Nonnegotiable. A small fan nearby keeps it happy, and no more mushy leaves!
The GlowUp: Goth Plant Goals Achieved
Three months later, my ‘Zwartkop’ was unrecognizable: tight, inkyblack rosettes, a thick stem, and those baby offsets growing into a mini bouquet. When fall hit, the cool temps painted the leaf edges deep red. My plantobsessed friends were shook—“This is the same plant?!”
Lessons Learned
Succulents thrive on neglect: The less you fuss, the better they look.
Stretching isn’t the end: Behead, replant, and watch the magic happen.
Drainage is life: Skip the dense soils—your plant’s roots need to breathe.
Now, every time I admire its moody beauty, I whisper: “Sometimes love means stepping back… and not drowning you in water.”
Ever saved a doomed succulent? Drop your drama queen plant stories below! 🌵✨
——Everly
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