Tree Of Love

aichryson laxum

The Tree of Love (Aichryson laxum) is an enchanting subtropical succulent plant that brings a touch of magic to both wild rocky slopes and cozy window sills. Endemic to the Canary Islands, this delicate plant naturally forms a miniature, tree-like silhouette with fork-like branches and plush, green foliage. During its flowering season, it erupts in a dramatic display of golden, star-shaped blossoms that contrast beautifully against its dark green leaves. Its common name is inspired by its soft, spade-to-heart-shaped leaves and its remarkable ability to easily propagate and multiply.

Habitat: Found in damp, shaded ravines, rocky walls, and woodlands of the Canary Islands, often growing in volcanic soil crevices.

Appearance

This small, dichotomously branched succulent grows up to 30 to 50 centimeters in height, resembling a tiny, rounded tree. Its fleshy leaves are light to dark green, spade-shaped, and covered in a dense coat of short, velvety white hairs that give the plant a soft, fuzzy texture. In late winter and spring, it produces airy, branched clusters of numerous bright yellow flowers, each featuring 8 to 12 narrow, star-like petals.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSaxifragalesFamilyCrassulaceaeGenusAichryson

Tree Of Love

Interesting facts

It is called the 'Tree of Love' because its small, velvety green leaves slightly resemble hearts, and it easily shares 'offspring' through stem cuttings.

The genus name Aichryson is derived from Greek words meaning 'always golden,' referencing the vibrant and long-lasting yellow blooms of the species.

Unlike many desert succulents, this plant thrives in moisture and shade, preferring damp forest edges to dry, sun-scorched plains.

Special abilities

The fine, soft hairs covering its leaves help reduce water loss from evaporation and trap ambient moisture from coastal fog.

Its stems naturally fork into two equal branches, helping the plant maximize its leaf surface area to capture filtered light in shaded environments.

Fallen or broken stems can rapidly develop adventitious roots when they come into contact with moist soil, allowing the plant to colonize new areas vegetative-wise.