Origin:
Aeonium ‘Neptune’ is a mutation of Aeonium ‘Love in the Fallen City’ (‘Qingcheng’), which itself arose from Aeonium ‘Madeira Rose’, also known as ‘Halloween’.
Known names:
‘Neptune’ — the most widely used international name —, 海王, ‘Haiwang’, ‘Sea King’, ‘Aquaman’, and ‘Green Qingcheng’.
Chinese name: 海王 (Hǎiwáng), meaning “Sea King.”
Date introduced / breeder:
First known distribution: 2023 in China. Earliest dated international commercial listing found: December 3, 2023. Breeder unknown.
Botanical description
Aeonium ‘Neptune’ is a shrubby variegated Aeonium belonging to a lineage especially rich in mutations derived from Aeonium ‘Madeira Rose’ (‘Halloween’).
Its exact origin still requires confirmation. The earliest available information suggests a relationship with Aeonium ‘Love in the Fallen City’ (‘Qingcheng’), which would explain some of the similarities observed between the two cultivars.
In winter, when light levels are lower, the foliage of ‘Neptune’ displays a fairly balanced pattern composed of:
- a green central band;
- broad cream-white lateral bands;
- and generally soft contrast among the different areas of the foliage.
This arrangement gives the rosette a bright, elegant appearance during the cooler season.
Variegation that changes with light
Aeonium ‘Neptune’ develops stronger colors as light levels increase.
With the arrival of spring and brighter conditions, the cream-white lateral bands gradually begin to turn pink.
This coloring can deepen under strong light, creating an appealing contrast between the green center and the pink margins.
As with many variegated Aeoniums, color intensity also depends on growing conditions, particularly light, temperature, and water stress.
This seasonal change is one of the main ornamental features of ‘Neptune’.
Cultivation and behavior
The first available observations indicate average growth for a variegated Aeonium and a similarly average ability to produce offsets.
Information about its hardiness and sensitivity remains limited because the cultivar was introduced relatively recently.
However, early reports suggest that ‘Neptune’ may be slightly less delicate than some other variegated Aeoniums in the ‘Halloween’ lineage.
Current observations indicate:
- Growth: satisfactory;
- Offset production: moderate;
- Fragility: increased sensitivity when rosettes become strongly depigmented, although this weakness appears less pronounced than in ‘Love in the Fallen City’.
More time and observation will nevertheless be needed to confirm this tendency, particularly regarding its response to intense summer heat and periods of dormancy.
As with all Aeoniums, special care should be taken to avoid excess moisture when temperatures are very high, as well as exposure to freezing temperatures.
WINTER PHOTOS
SUMMER PHOTOS
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