I am a relative newbie myself, and still perfecting my approach to many succulents, but I am sure that that is backwards....most succulents, with the exception of a few winter growers (Cotyledon Panaticula, for example) should be watered during the summer while they are exhibiting new growth, and either left to go dormant or watered very infrequently during the winter. As far as sun vs. shade is concerned, this is species specific, and I am going to leave that to someone with more experience since I haven't dealt with Aeoniums or haworthia yet....My crassulas and adeniums are slowly moved into the sun in the spring....my aloes and gasterias are left in the shade....

For sun requirements, the Tucson C&SS's "ABC-123 care code" is one of the best for that. I cannot remember how much crassula info there is but there are many genera covered. Remember to adjust your guesstimations to your climate v. Tucson's blistering heat and low humidity. You can google up the pdf.
Aeonium are winter growers; they are not particularly cold-hardy and will also go dormant if kept chilly. Mine are dormant now, in full bright shade and struggling in the high nineties. HTH - Jo

Many succulents are opportunistic, and grow or go dormant based on conditions, not necessarily the time of year.

Many crassula and haworthia will slow down during heat, especially warm nights which inhibit their metabolism. I think somewhere around 60-65F seems to be the night-time cutoff temp. Cool weather has the same result but via a different mechanism, in this case it is slowdown of enzymatic activities.

Aeonium are native to mediterranean climates that are dry in the summer, but if you live in an area that does not get particularly hot in the summer they may very well keep growing.

The important thing is not to worry so much about what time of year it is, but to observe your plants for active growth and water them accordingly. Plants are at serious risk of rotting when they are overwatered during dormancy and growth slow-downs, which will be different for each of us because we don't all grow our plants the same way.

x

Hi Olelander,

No, it's not backwards, 'cause Aeoniums, like many others in the family Crassulacae (family of Jade plants & their relatives) are winter growers & bloomers (Jades bloom in Calif during Nov. & Dec.).

But yes, the best advice does seem to be watch the plants for times of most active growth as to assessing watering needs for varying times of year.

As to sun, offhand I'd say most Aeoniums & Crassulas would like the best sun & strongest light they can get.

Haworthias on the other hand, often don't care for direct sun, as in nature they often grow in the shade of other plants.

I tend to give my Haws. the edge of my west windows (mostly bright indirect, w/ a hr. or 2 direct afternoon sun) & they like it just fine.

Thanks for the info.

Opinions on this seem to be all over the place, so I'll just keep my eyes on the garden.

My Aeoniums are going OFF right now - literally 3 new stems in the past month, each about 5 inches long already. (they are in a shaded area...hmmmm)

My climate is pretty much mediterranean (20 min north of the Golden Gate). We don't get a lot of fog in my neighborhood (Sun Valley). :-)

- Chris

I don't think our opinions were "all over the place" at all. We all told you, in our own way, that there is not a one size fits all answer to your question. You water according to active growth - there are many species of crassula and not all are strictly summer or winter growers. Much depends on your particular clime.
As to aeoniums in particular, they are generally considered winter growers but will grow in a temperate climate until temps become too hot or too cold when they go dormant. I would expect that aeoniums in your area are probably quite content at present...mine are struggling with the heat and are dormant.

I have a follow-up question....I've been wondering for awhile if it is unhealthy in the long run to keep a plant going year round that is used to a period of dormancy or slow-down. does anybody know?

Rest is always good, no?

Plants that have a genetic "necessity" to go dormant need it for proper flowering and may end up going dormant no matter what the conditions. Plumerias are a good example. Even when grown in Hawaii with perfect weather year-round, they will drop their leaves and go to sleep during shorter days.

A maple tree would never survive a tropical climate more than a few seasons.

Keep in mind the light factor: during short days light intensity is often not enough for strong, compact growth. Resting prevents weak growth. Plants are able to focus growth, flowering and starch formation during the active part of year, and during rest when metabolic activity slows, the starches are converted to sugars as the plant needs them without active photosynthesis, nutrient and water uptake. It is cyclical. Disrupting the normal cycles can be harmful.

Even animals that need hibernation but that are grown in captivity end up living shorter lives.

x

Not this time of year, watch for new growth on Aeoniums
Crassula for the most part are winter growers, and don't want sun now until Oct.or when it cools down for your zone. Hawortha are in flower now and also don't water until after flowering, most have dropped their roots, and will start to set them down the end of Sept. I can go into detail but I'm typing with only one hand at this time.
Now I'm talking about Calif.desert dry, no humidity, and very porus, sandy soil. I grow mine as if they came from Africa. Which is winter at this time until Oct 1. Norma