Origin:
A mutation of Aeonium ‘Madeira Rose’, also known as ‘Halloween’.
Known names:
‘Candy Chocolate’ (the most widely used name), ‘Halloween Chocolate’, ‘Chocolate Beauty’ and ‘Colorful Halloween’.
⚠️ Naming caution:
The name ‘Colorful Halloween’ can cause confusion. In the variegated Aeonium trade, “Colorful” is often used for rainbow-type mutations showing several colours at once, and may be a commercial description rather than a distinct cultivar name.
Not to be confused with Aeonium ‘Chocolates’, which has a different reported origin as a mutation of Aeonium ‘Zwartkin’.
Creation date / Creator:
Marketed from 2023 in China.
Botanical description
Aeonium ‘Candy Chocolate’ is a rare variegated cultivar from the ‘Madeira Rose’ lineage, a family that has produced numerous mutations with unusual pigmentation.
Its foliage changes markedly between periods of low and strong light.
Winter appearance
In winter, the leaves generally show a broad green central band with irregular mottling and streaks, accompanied by cream-yellow to pale-yellow lateral bands. The contrast remains comparatively soft at this stage.
Transformation under strong light
As light increases, the yellow lateral bands develop warmer shades of intense yellow, orange and sometimes caramel. At the same time, the green centre progressively darkens to deep chocolate brown.
This combination of orange-yellow and dark brown probably inspired the name ‘Candy Chocolate’ and makes the cultivar readily recognisable when fully coloured.
Cultivation and behaviour
Growth is medium and offset production appears average. Like several cultivars in the ‘Halloween’ lineage, however, it may be comparatively sensitive in cultivation.
Early reports indicate significant fragility during difficult summers, when high temperatures can affect strongly variegated plants.
- use a very free-draining growing medium;
- protect from prolonged extreme heat;
- provide bright light while avoiding excessive summer temperatures;
- monitor carefully during dormancy.
A rare member of the ‘Halloween’ family
Its appeal lies in its seasonal colour changes, its orange-yellow and chocolate-brown contrast, its rarity and its relationship to the ‘Madeira Rose’ lineage.
It remains uncommon, and wider cultivation will be needed to assess its long-term stability and resistance.
WINTER PHOTOGRAPHS
SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHS
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