Origin: A mutation of Aeonium ‘Mardi Gras’.
Known names: ‘Venus’; 维纳斯 / 維納斯; 维纳斯法师 / 維納斯法師; sometimes 金星.
Creation / commercial release date: Earliest mention found: February 13, 2020, in China.
Origin and history
Aeonium ‘Venus’ belongs to the mutation lineage of ‘Mardi Gras’. The earliest mention found dates to February 13, 2020, in China; it does not establish a creation date.
Its name is sometimes associated with ‘Wu Tian Ji’ in the trade. Comparing these two names helps explain the confusion without treating them as interchangeable.
Botanical description
General description
Aeonium ‘Venus’ is a variegated aeonium whose leaves have a green central band surrounded by creamy-yellow areas. Its distinguishing feature is the pronounced waviness of its leaves in summer.
Seasonal changes
In winter, when light levels are low, green and creamy yellow predominate. As light increases, the sides of the leaves develop purplish-pink tones and the central area darkens.
In summer, under intense heat and carefully managed watering, the sides of the leaves fold markedly, forming waves. This development should be assessed on a plant grown over an extended period.
Growth and branching
It has a normal growth rate and an average ability to produce offsets.
Particular sensitivities
No particular sensitivity has been observed so far.
Flowering
Its flowering characteristics remain to be documented. As with other aeoniums, a rosette gradually dies after flowering, while the other branches can continue to grow.
Growing conditions
☀️ Light
Provide bright exposure and acclimate the plant gradually to sunlight. Assess its coloration in relation to exposure, season and growth stage.
💧 Watering
Water according to the plant’s growth activity and how quickly the pot dries, allowing the growing medium to dry sufficiently between waterings. During a summer slowdown, reduce watering rather than following a fixed schedule.
🪨 Potting mix
Choose a very free-draining growing medium that allows excess water to escape quickly. In pots, keep the drainage holes clear and avoid leaving standing water in a saucer.
🌡️ Temperatures
Protect from frost. In intense heat, monitor growth and how quickly the growing medium dries; trying to obtain colored or wavy leaves should not lead to extreme growing conditions.
Are ‘Venus’ and ‘Wu Tian Ji’ the same Aeonium?
Some sellers group ‘Venus’ together with 舞天姬 — ‘Wu Tian Ji’. An Australian nursery, for example, markets the same plant under the names “维纳斯 / 金星 / 舞天姬”.
However, the most detailed Chinese sources generally present 维纳斯 — ‘Venus’ and 舞天姬 — ‘Wu Tian Ji’ as two distinct cultivars:
- ‘Venus’ has relatively broad, very numerous and strongly undulating leaves;
- ‘Wu Tian Ji’ has longer, narrower and more strongly recurved leaves;
- a Chinese article published in 2022 separately shows a plant labeled 维纳斯 and another labeled 舞天姬, while acknowledging their very close resemblance.
Another Chinese overview explicitly describes ‘Venus’ as a “controversial” cultivar, with some collectors claiming that it is simply 大波浪舞天姬, meaning “large-wave Wu Tian Ji”.
Below is a 2022 comparison by Bestaeonium, a well-known Chinese supplier at the time that has since ceased trading.
WINTER PHOTOGRAPHS
SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHS
Known mutations of ‘Venus’
Chinese growers have identified mutations derived from Aeonium ‘Venus’. The information they shared supports retaining these lineages even when the original publications are no longer accessible online.
‘Caesar’ / ‘Czar’
Aeonium ‘Caesar’, also known as ‘Czar’, is a mutation of ‘Venus’. Its detailed profile describes its characteristics and various names.
‘Canaan’
Aeonium ‘Canaan’ is also a mutation of ‘Venus’ identified by Chinese growers. Information about its appearance, growth and cultivation remains very limited.
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