Echeveria succulent plants come in many different colors of leaves, including:
Bright green
Blue-green
Dusty gray
Purple Echeveria
Black
Pink
Red
All of these plants come from the Americas. Most are from Mexico; however, there are some species that hail from Central America and South America.
They also grow naturally in Texas and can be found as far south as Argentina.
''Where to plant echeverias''
Echeverias thrive in a well-drained soil. Although described as tender, they are pretty tough. They can tolerate cold but can’t cope with wet and cold, so plants should be moved to a frost-free place over winter.
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| source pic: pinterest.com |
A south-facing, sandy, slightly acidic soil is ideal. Echeverias don’t need that much room for their roots and can cope in small pots and even small cracks in paving.
''Growing Echeveria''
These easy little succulents produce offsets or baby plants nestled against the mother rosette. These are easy to separate and grow. Just pull the little rosette away and replant in a cactus mixture or homemade blend of equal parts sand, topsoil and compost.
You can also start new plants from leaf cuttings. Simply lay the leaf on the surface of the soil. It will root within a few weeks and soon a small rosette will grow next to the rooted leaf. The leaf will dry up and crumble off of the new plant.
''Care Instructions for Echeveria''
The most important part of good Echeveria care is watering. The biggest issue with the succulents is overwatering. Provide moderate amounts of water in the hot, dry season. Let the soil dry out completely before you irrigate again. Potted plants should not be left in a wet saucer. Soft rots and root rot issues occur when the plant is too wet.
The only other issue of concern is the mealybug. Their feeding behavior can seriously minimize the plants vigor.
Situate the plants in full sun and mulch around them with gravel or sand to help prevent weeds and conserve moisture.
Protect the plants from freezing temperatures and store potted plants indoors in winter. The plants do not need pruning, but you may pinch off damaged or errant growth as needed.
''Watering Echeveria''
Water according to the temperature, as Echeveria will need much more water in the full heat of summer, and lots less when it’s cool or rainy.
The best water to use is rainwater captured off a roof as it doesn’t have the minerals that can mar the bloom or pruinose on the leaves of Echeveria and other succulent plants.
Never use water from a water softening unit, as salt kills plants.
To water Echeveria properly, completely wet the soil all the way through by watering thoroughly a couple of times.
This ensures that the whole soil column gets wet.
Then allow it to dry completely before watering again for healthy roots. Avoid keeping the soil damp, and always use fast draining soil.
I also recommend using tempered water for watering Echeveria. It makes sense that there is less potential for root rot if the water is warmed.
Never let the soil stay wet for long periods, or let the plant sit in a saucer of water.
''Potting Soil''
Echeverias need a well draining soil to prevent root rot. I have had great success with a mixture of cactus soil and perlite combined to approximately 1:1 ratio. You can also use potting soil or cactus soil combined with coarse sand in 2:1 ratio.
''Fertilize''
Fertilizing is not necessary especially if you just repotted your plant in fresh potting mix. But if the plant needs a boost or has been sitting in the same old potting mix for over a year, fertilize with a balanced blend of fertilizer for houseplants or a specialized fertilizer for cacti and succulents.
Dilute to ¼ to ½ strength and fertilize only during the active growing season, or from spring to early fall season, about every two weeks.
''Sunlight''
Some echeveria species do well under full sun and some need protection from intense afternoon sun. Most need at least 4-6 hours of bright light, or more. More fragile echeverias or baby plants cannot handle intense, full sun and need filtered but bright light to prevent sun damage.
Generally, smaller plants cannot handle intense heat or sun, especially newly propagated plants and bigger ones can take more intense sunlight . Even still, hardy plants that have been acclimated to full sun can still burn during intense heat or heat waves. Most plants need to be acclimated to the sun’s rays when you plan to increase sunlight.
Slowly increase the amount and intensity of sunlight to avoid burning the plant.
Plants that do not receive enough light eventually etiolate, start looking pale and stretch out to look for more light. Place plants in south or east facing windows indoors to ensure adequate lighting.
''TOXICITY''
Echeveria can be moderately causing mouth irritation and stomach indigestion to humans and pets.
