Periodically, we are going to do a deep dive into a group of succulents, putting them in the “species spotlight” to give you information on their form, their variety, hardiness zones, uses and care. First up – the exquisite rosette-forming Echeveria!
All About Growing Echeveria
In this Post We'll Cover:
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Echeveria (etch-uh-VAIR-ee-uh) is a genus composed of hundreds of species, hybrids and cultivars of rosette-forming succulents, native to the semi-desert regions stretching from northern Mexico through Central America and the northwestern reaches of South America. Mature plants range in size from barely 2-inches to 18-inches across. Colorful leaves develop in shades of blue, green, silver, red, “black”, silver and even white. The fleshy leaves grow in concentric circles, or in rows around a common center point, with the leaves curling inward, much like the petals of a rose.
See how this Echeveria succulent looks like a rose? Unlike a flower, however, an Echeveria will remain full of color, holding its form and looking its very best for many months – or even years – at a time! Surely, this is one of the many reasons we love succulents so much! They look their very best most of the time, neither fading nor drooping like the flowers they resemble.
Echeveria Blooms
Echeveria do bloom, developing two modified stems that reach up to 12-16″, arching over the top of the plant, with multiple lantern-like blooms hanging from the graceful stem. The blooms range from cream to yellow, amber, pink, orange or red or a combination of colors. Highly attractive to hummingbirds, the waxy blooms are very long-lasting.
Planting Echeveria
All Echeveria types make excellent container plants, but they can also be planted into the ground and survive year-round in gardens in Sunset zones 8, 9, 12 – 24 (USDA hardiness zones 8-11). While most varieties will tolerate sub-freezing temps for short periods of time, it is best to protect them from freezing weather. Set Echeveria planters in your garden, at the base of the house or a stone wall, under a large tree, or plan to bring them indoors in colder climates. While the plants will survive frost damage, the scarred leaves will look unsightly on the long-lived rosettes, so protecting them from freezing is best.
Succulent Soil for Echeveria
Like most succulents, Echeveria should be planted in fast draining soil with large, gritty particles that allow for plenty of air in the soil. You can make your own succulent soil from many recipes online, or just get soil labeled for palms and cactus for an excellent choice. For an in-depth review of what succulents need from their soil, click here.
Watering Echeveria
Like most succulents, Echeveria require a light hand with the water. When it is time to water, be generous, saturating the soil. Do not leave the plant sitting in water – empty the catch tray, and let the soil dry out well before watering again. Apply water at the soil line, not from overhead. You do not want water to collect inside the rosette, where it could lead to rot. Watering correctly is so important for the health of your Echeveria, read here about how to water your succulents.
Lighting
Your Echeveria succulents will grow best with a good amount of indirect light throughout the day. A few hours of direct sun will not hurt the plants. Take care to watch for signs of stress or sunburn during the heat of the day. Echeveria will do well indoors, too, but only if you can provide a ton of light. You can supplement indoor lighting with artificial lighting or try moving the plant into a sunnier spot for a few hours each day or week. Insufficient lighting will lead to the plant stretching as it reaches for more light.
Epicuticular WaxEpicuticular wax (Ep-i-cyoo-TI-cyoo-lar wax) is a natural, ... on Echeveria
Many varieties of Echeveria sport a whitish, waxy film on their leaves. This film is called epicuticular wax, and it protects the plant against damage due to UV rays, moisture loss and insect damage. This wax is beneficial to the plant’s health, and should not be wiped away. Instead, use a soft-bristled paintbrush to whisk away soil from between the leaves.
Thank you, Thelma S Cruz, for the use of this photo!
PropagatingPropagating (PRAH-puh-gate-ing) a plant is to grow another p... Echeveria
Echeveria succulents are often called “Mexican hens and chicks” for the habit of forming small, baby rosettes at the base of the mother plant. The tiny rosettes clustered around the base of the large, rose-formed plant looks a lot like the tiny baby chicks with their protective mother hen. Leaving the baby Echeveria, called “pups”, in place will yield a full planting of many rosettes like the image above. Removing a pup is one easy way to increase your collection of Echeveria. This is called stem cutting propagation. Make a clean cut just one inch below the rosette. Set the cutting aside to heal over for a few days, outside of direct sunlight. Within a few weeks, you will see many tiny roots will form at the base of the plant. Now it is time to plant your cutting to begin the new plant! Take care to water only lightly until the new plant fully roots.
You can also propagate your Echeveria by the leaves. Remove a leaf from the base of the plant, taking care not to tear it. Again, set it aside in a dry spot, out of direct sun. Soon, it will form tiny roots, followed by new little leaves forming a tiny new rosette! Simply move your rooting leaf to a small pot of succulent soil. Tuck the roots gently into the top of the soil. Your new plant will develop from there!
Coloring and Form
Echeveria succulents dazzle in a dizzying array of colors and forms. Most develop smooth, slender leaves that come to a refined point, like those shown above. Some others produce rounded, or very thick leaves that are liberally sprinkled with bumps and knobby growths called carbuncles. Still others sport heavily ruffled leaves and wide open aspects, while others are covered with whisker-like filaments.
Here are just a few of the many colors and forms of Echeveria types:
Are Echeveria Toxic to Cats or Dogs?
Unlike some succulents, Echeveria is non-toxic, and completely safe to grow around cats, dogs and small animals — even if they nibble!
This symbol denotes pet-safe succulents. For more information about succulents and pets, just click on this image anywhere on this site.
Whether you are new to succulents and looking for a place to start, or are a committed succulent fanatic, Echeveria is the perfect plant for your next succulent. Echeveria are easy to care for and absolutely gorgeous. With a wide range of colors, sizes and forms, you are certain to find several to fall in love with. Nearly every store that offers any form of succulent will have a couple of Echeveria to offer. For a spectacular selection, I recommend shopping with Mountain Crest Gardens – a one-stop source of exceptional quality for a wide range of many succulents. They offer more than 250 varieties of Echeveria alone, as well as a remarkable array of other varieties!
I hope you have enjoyed this close up look at Echeveria! I would love to know if you already grow Echeveria, or if you plan to? Please take a moment to leave a comment. And please feel free to ask me any questions – I am here to help! 🙂
Happy gardening!
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P.P.S. Why not join my Facebook Group for succulent lovers? We talk about succulent care, propagation, succulent identification, and design. It’s a warm and welcoming group that would love to meet you!
