Origin:
Derived from a mutation of Aeonium ‘Bronze Medal‘.

Known names:
‘Green Tea‘ (the most widely used name), ‘Sweet Tea‘, ‘Tea Cup‘, ‘Sweet Tea Cup‘, ‘Bronze Medal Variegated‘, 甜茶.

Creation / breeder:
Commercial development in 2021 (China).

Botanical description

Aeonium ‘Green Tea‘ is a shrubby variegated Aeonium derived from a mutation of Aeonium ‘Bronze Medal‘. It retains its parent’s main morphological characteristics, including its compact habit, strong branching and numerous small rosettes.

This cultivar is particularly appreciated for its delicately marbled foliage, whose colors change with the seasons depending on growing conditions.

Finely marbled foliage

In winter, when light levels are lower, the leaves display irregular variegation made up of green and cream marbling distributed randomly across the entire leaf blade.

This mosaic of colors gives each rosette a unique appearance without true symmetry, a characteristic also found in several mutations derived from ‘Bronze Medal‘.

As light, temperatures and water stress increase, the coloration gradually changes. The pale areas develop pink and then red tones, while some marbling may turn a very dark red, creating a particularly striking contrast with the areas that remain green.

These seasonal changes give ‘Green Tea‘ a very dynamic appearance, and the plant may show noticeably different colors in winter and summer.

A compact, highly branched cultivar

Like its parent ‘Bronze Medal‘, Aeonium ‘Green Tea‘ develops a dense, bushy habit thanks to its excellent branching ability.

The relatively small rosettes are produced in large numbers, allowing the plant to form a compact and particularly ornamental clump quite quickly.

This architecture makes it a popular cultivar both in pots and in arrangements with other Aeoniums.

Cultivation and behavior

Aeonium ‘Green Tea‘ generally performs well in cultivation.

Its main horticultural characteristics are:

Growth: fairly slow;
Offset production: very good;
Branching: abundant;
Vulnerability: observed sensitivity to excess moisture.

Like Aeonium ‘Bronze Medal‘, it appears more sensitive than average to excessive moisture, especially when the growing medium remains waterlogged for long periods. A very free-draining mix and good air circulation generally help limit this risk.

Like all Aeoniums, it remains sensitive to frost and prolonged sub-zero temperatures.

An elegant mutation of ‘Bronze Medal‘

Aeonium ‘Green Tea‘ is one of the most interesting mutations derived from ‘Bronze Medal‘. Its finely marbled foliage, combined with pronounced color changes between winter and summer, gives it a particularly appealing visual identity.

Its compact habit, strong ability to produce new rosettes and contrasting colors make it a highly sought-after cultivar among enthusiasts of variegated Aeoniums.