Origin: American horticultural hybrid bred by John N. Trager at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in California. It derives from a cross between Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ and Aeonium sedifolium. Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ and Aeonium ‘Plum Thumb’ are two sister seedlings selected from the same sowing.
Its complete parentage is therefore:
(Aeonium tabuliforme × Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’) × Aeonium sedifolium.
Known names: ‘Bing Thing’. No other clearly established horticultural synonym has been found.
Creation / commercial release date: the exact date of the cross and sowing is not given in the reference publication. Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ was, however, officially introduced by the Huntington Botanical Gardens’ International Succulent Introductions program in 2012, under reference ISI 2012-6, accession HBG 108053.
Origin and history
The history of Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ begins with another American hybrid: Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’.
It derives from a cross made by Jack Catlin between Aeonium tabuliforme and Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’. One aim was to combine the dark coloring of ‘Zwartkop’ with a much more compact habit. One seedling was later retained and named ‘Jack Catlin’ in honor of its breeder.
At the Huntington Botanical Gardens, John N. Trager continued this work by crossing Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ with Aeonium sedifolium, a small, highly branched species characterized by small rosettes and thick leaves that may show reddish spots.
This cross produced several seedlings, including two distinct selections:
Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ and Aeonium ‘Plum Thumb’.
The two cultivars therefore have exactly the same parents and should be regarded as sister seedlings. They are not two clones of the same plant: each arose from an independent seedling with its own combination of traits.
This relationship also helps explain their resemblance. Both combine the compact, strongly branched character of A. sedifolium with the broader influence of the ‘Jack Catlin’ lineage, itself derived from A. tabuliforme and ‘Zwartkop’.
On ‘Bing Thing’, John Trager also noticed small reddish leaf markings reminiscent of those on certain cherries. Unable to immediately recall the name of the ‘Rainier’ cherry he first had in mind, he ultimately associated the plant with the famous American ‘Bing’ cherry, giving rise to the name ‘Bing Thing’.
The cultivar was officially distributed in 2012 by International Succulent Introductions.
Botanical description
General description
Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ is a small hybrid with a very compact, strongly branched habit.
The Huntington Botanical Gardens description reports rosettes about 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter on branches reaching approximately 8 inches (20 cm) in height.
The plant therefore develops a dense, bushy silhouette, very different from the tall and relatively sparsely branched habit shown by some cultivars derived from ‘Zwartkop’.
The leaves are thick and fleshy. Their color varies from green to reddish-brown depending on growing conditions.
The influence of Aeonium sedifolium is also apparent in their slightly sticky surface and in the small reddish spots that may appear on the leaf blade.
Seasonal changes
During active growth, the plant may retain a substantial amount of green, especially at the center of the rosettes.
As light levels rise, red pigments become more visible. The leaves then take on dark red to reddish-brown tones, usually without reaching the deep black of Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’.
In summer, under strong sunlight, the coloration may become much more intense and the reddish spots inherited from A. sedifolium may be particularly noticeable.
The exact shade nevertheless depends strongly on light, temperature, and the plant’s water status.
Growth and branching
Branching is one of the essential characteristics of ‘Bing Thing’.
The plant quickly develops several secondary stems ending in small rosettes. Over time, it therefore forms a miniature clump rather than a tall shrub.
This compact growth is precisely one of the traits contributed by Aeonium sedifolium in the cross.
Bing Thing and Plum Thumb: two sister seedlings
Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ and Aeonium ‘Plum Thumb’ derive from the same cross and the same sowing:
Aeonium ‘Jack Catlin’ × Aeonium sedifolium.
They therefore share much of their general appearance: small size, abundant branching, and foliage coloration that responds strongly to light.
They are not, however, identical.
‘Bing Thing’ is particularly distinguished by its small rosettes and the visible expression of certain Aeonium sedifolium traits, especially the reddish spots on the foliage.
‘Plum Thumb’ generally develops fuller-looking rosettes, with an especially strong seasonal contrast between a green center and outer leaves that shift toward reddish-brown and purple tones.
This pair therefore provides an interesting example of the diversity that can appear among individuals resulting from the same cross.
Particular sensitivities
No major specific sensitivity is currently documented for Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’.
Its small size does not mean that it prefers continuously wet growing medium. As with other aeoniums, good aeration around the roots remains essential.
The slightly sticky feel that may be noticed on the leaves is a trait inherited from A. sedifolium and should not necessarily be interpreted as a health problem.
Flowering
No feature specific to the flowering of Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ has been documented well enough to describe precisely.
As in other aeoniums, each rosette is monocarpic: it gradually dies after flowering, while the remaining branches continue to develop normally.
Growing conditions
☀️ Light
Aeonium ‘Bing Thing’ prefers a very bright position.
Strong light promotes its compact habit and intensifies its reddish coloration.
💧 Watering
During active growth, water after the growing medium has dried sufficiently between waterings.
During intense summer heat, growth may slow considerably. Watering should then be spaced according to the actual condition of the plant and how quickly the growing medium dries.
🪨 Substrate
Use a very free-draining, well-aerated growing medium.
Its small size makes ‘Bing Thing’ especially well suited to container growing.
🌡️ Temperatures
Protect the plant from frost.
In the absence of precise data establishing cultivar-specific hardiness, it is preferable to keep it above 32°F (0°C) and especially avoid the combination of cold conditions and waterlogged growing medium.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF BING THING
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