Plant in a well-drained soil in full coastal sun to part sun or light shade inland and water infrequently to occasionally - can tolerate occasional to little or no irrigation in coastal California gardens. This plant was not damaged during our January 2007 freeze with 3 nights in a row down to 25°F and others report it hardy to short duration temperatures around 23°F. A great tough and attractive plant massed as the understory of larger succulent plants like tree aloes or even uses for a short screen.

Aeonium balsamiferum is native to shrublands and rocky areas the eastern Canary Island of Lanzarote and has naturalized on Fuerteventura. The name Aeonium comes for Greek word 'aionion' or 'aionios' meaning immortal or everlasting for its succulent nature and presumed longevity. The specific epithet is in reference to the pleasant balsam fragrance of its leaves and is particularly noticeable when smelling the center of a rosette - a diagnostic feature for identifying this plant. In the Canary Islands this plant is called Alfarroba, which is a Portuguese name for the carob tree and also Bejeque Ffarrobo, which is thought to be a Moorish translation of a name used by the aboriginal Canary Island Guanche people. We thank plantsman John Bleck for our original plants of this species. 

The information displayed on this page about Aeonium balsamiferum is based on the research we have conducted about it in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about this plant as it grows in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant have performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we have received from others and welcome hearing from anyone with information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information that will aid others to better grow it.