Name: Aeonium 'Black King Kong'
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: A607-bkk+M614
Rating: 5.0 (4 reviews)

Aeonium 'Black King Kong'

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Most of our plants are shipped bare-root. Please note that the plant you receive may not be an exact likeness of the images shown.

Aeonium 'Black King Kong' is an extraordinary variegated Aeonium with vibrant colours and pronounced variegation at the centre. In bright light, it develops a deep red hue, reflecting its name. The dark tips of the leaves lend this Aeonium a distinctive appearance.

It readily produces offsets and branches, forming an attractive pyramid-shaped specimen plant. The true beauty of this Aeonium is realized when it reaches maturity, creating a stunning standalone display.

In our experience, 'Black King Kong' has exhibited strong growth with consistent variegation. To maintain vibrant colours during the warm summer months, it is recommended to provide morning or evening sun exposure or keep it in shaded, cooler areas.

A Surreal Succulents favourite, get yours now.

Also known as:

Black King Kong Aeonium
Aeonium Black King Kong

Where it thrives

Sunlight Full Sun 5+ hrs of sun

Recommended location Balcony

Recommended location Patio

Recommended location Conservatory

Recommended location Rockery

Plant characteristics

Growability Beginner

Growth form Branching

Growth rate Moderate

Minimum temperature 2°C

Mature size, height and width 50 cm x 40 cm

Foliage colour Purple, Pink, Yellow, and Green

On Arrival

Aeonium 'Black King Kong' is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove the protective material and check that the leaves, stems and roots have arrived in good condition.

Plant Aeonium 'Black King Kong' in the compost recommended in this guide and spread the roots into a natural position rather than folding or forcing them into the pot. For the best start, bury a suitable section of healthy bare stem in the compost. This will anchor Aeonium 'Black King Kong' securely in its pot and encourage stronger root development. Aeoniums tolerate having part of their bare stem buried, but keep every leaf, branch junction and rosette above the compost surface. Tap the pot lightly on the potting bench several times to settle the mixture without pressing it down heavily by hand.

Wait five to seven days before watering. This resting period allows small root injuries caused during lifting and transport to dry, reducing the risk of rot. After this, water lightly while the roots establish. Begin the normal watering routine once the plant is firmly rooted and showing healthy growth.

Keep Aeonium 'Black King Kong' in a bright, sheltered position during establishment. Protect it from intense midday sunshine for the first week, then introduce it gradually to the recommended light conditions. Temporary softness or the loss of a few older leaves is normal while the root system recovers.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water Aeonium 'Black King Kong' thoroughly, making sure the entire root area is moistened and all excess water can escape through the drainage holes. Allow the compost to dry before watering again. Follow our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry.

Aeoniums do their main growing in spring and autumn, slowing right down through the coldest UK winter weather and pausing in high summer heat. Check the compost regularly through the growing season and water by how dry it feels rather than to a fixed timetable.

Keep Aeonium 'Black King Kong' much drier during hot summer weather, when it turns semi-dormant, and through cold winter conditions. The softer, paler variegated tissue bruises and rots easily, so water in the morning at the roots and avoid leaving moisture sitting in the rosettes.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Aeonium 'Black King Kong' with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Balcony, Patio, Conservatory, and Rockery. Bright light is required to preserve clear variegation and compact growth.

The pale areas contain less protective pigment and scorch more readily than green foliage. Introduce direct sunshine gradually, favour morning or late-afternoon sun and provide shade during intense heatwaves.

Avoid a dark position, which causes weak stretched growth and can reduce the quality of the variegation. Rotate the pot regularly for even development.

Compost and drainage

Plant Aeonium 'Black King Kong' in a free-draining mixture of approximately 60% multi-purpose compost and 40% horticultural grit or perlite, our recommended blend for Aeoniums. Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes.

Select a container that is only moderately larger than the root system. Too much unused compost remains wet for longer and makes careful watering more difficult.

Terracotta is an excellent choice because its porous surface helps the compost dry evenly and allows air to reach the roots. A thin layer of horticultural grit around the plant also keeps lower leaves away from damp compost.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should contain enough nutrients to support Aeonium 'Black King Kong' for approximately three to six months. Once these nutrients have been used, apply a balanced liquid feed at half the recommended strength every two weeks while the plant is actively growing.

Apply feed when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering. This helps distribute the nutrients around the roots and reduces the risk of damage from concentrated fertiliser.

Stop feeding during summer dormancy and prolonged cold weather. Aeonium 'Black King Kong' cannot make effective use of additional nutrients while growth is paused, and soft new growth is more vulnerable to rot and frost damage.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Aeonium 'Black King Kong' is 2°C. Move it into a bright, airy and protected position before conditions fall below this level. A greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool room can provide suitable protection for tender varieties.

Keep the compost much drier through winter, watering only around every six weeks on average, because cold, wet roots are particularly vulnerable to rot. Do not place the plant directly above a radiator, as warm dry air combined with weak winter light can produce distorted growth.

Use high-quality horticultural fleece as an additional layer of protection during short cold spells. Allow air to circulate around the foliage whenever conditions permit.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

In prolonged hot weather Aeonium 'Black King Kong' enters its natural summer semi-dormancy. The rosettes tighten and close, growth stalls and the colours may shift or deepen. This is a normal response to heat and nothing to worry about.

Variegated foliage needs closer watching now than plain green types: the pale, low-pigment areas scorch quickly under fierce summer sun. Give it a touch more shade than a fully green Aeonium through the hottest part of the day. Reduce watering while the rosettes stay closed and stop feeding. A half-strength liquid seaweed feed misted over the foliage in the cool of early morning, every couple of weeks, acts as a tonic that helps Aeonium 'Black King Kong' cope with heat stress without wetting the roots.

When temperatures cool and the rosettes reopen, gradually resume normal watering. Check the compost first, as a dormant plant may still hold moisture around its roots.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Repotting

Repot Aeonium 'Black King Kong' during spring when it becomes root-bound, unstable or too large for its container. Remove loose, tired compost and replace it with a fresh, free-draining mixture. Choose a new pot that is only moderately larger than the existing one.

Inspect the root system while the plant is out of its pot. Remove dead, hollow or rotten roots using clean snips, then leave any fresh cuts to dry before watering.

Keep the plant at its previous depth unless the profile specifically recommends otherwise. Burying healthy leaves or the growing point can trap moisture and encourage rot.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

All-green shoots can grow more vigorously than variegated stems and eventually dominate Aeonium 'Black King Kong'. Remove a reverted shoot cleanly at its point of origin as soon as it is identified.

Dry brown patches on the pale areas commonly indicate sun scorch. Move the plant away from intense afternoon sun and allow new foliage to develop under gentler light.

Soft stems and dark tissue indicate excess moisture, particularly in cold weather or summer dormancy. Remove damaged growth and allow the compost to dry.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

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Aeonium 'Black King Kong'

Where it thrives

How to care for Aeonium 'Black King Kong'

Plant characteristics

On Arrival

Watering

Light and position

Compost and drainage

Feeding

Winter care

Summer care

Repotting

Common problems

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Questions

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Aeonium 'Black King Kong'

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