When we hear the word succulent, we most likely imagine this little plant with fleshy leaves that are somewhat green but also pinkish, forming a stunning rosette shape. This is the echeveria.
Echeverias are everywhere now—just regular ornamental plants in living rooms, coffee shops, and office desks. But they originally came from the semi-desert regions of Central America, particularly Mexico, and South America. Like many succulent plants native to these areas, Echeverias naturally endure dry conditions. Its tolerance to drought is one of the things that make it so popular, especially for inexperienced gardeners who need sturdy, low-maintenance plants.
If you plan to grow this pretty rosette succulent but know little about it, this is a good place to start. Get to know the Echeveria in this post.
Physical Characteristics
The Echeveria succulent family is pretty huge. There are about 150 known species under the genus Echeveria and as a result of crossing the different species, there are over 1,000 cultivars.
While each cultivar has a defining feature, Echeveria plants share a few recognizable traits: the compact and symmetrical rosettes and fleshy leaves that store water, like other succulents.
They also produce flowers though the frequency and timing largely depend on the species and growing conditions—some won't get to bloom at all. The flowers are typically bell-shaped or star-shaped and grow on tall, arching stalks that tower over the rosette.
Succulents such as snake plants and ZZ plants have underground rhizomes. Echeverias, meanwhile, are similar to cacti and have fibrous root systems that are shallow and widespread. They also grow offsets or pups, which are tiny rosettes that grow around a mother plant's base.
Once again, Echeveria species share distinct characteristics. However, each species and cultivar has at least one unique trait. Here are some variations of Echeverias with notable features:
Echeveria Species Traits
Echeveria agavoides: Also called the Lipstick Echeveria, this succulent forms a compact rosette of thick, pointed leaves that resemble an agave plant, hence the name. Its color is typically a vibrant green with reddish tips. When it blooms, the flowers are pinkish-red with yellow tips.
Echeveria gibbiflora DC: The gibbiflora is among the largest and most impressive, with unique, ruffled leaves. It forms a loose rosette of broad, spoon-shaped leaves with a beautiful gradient color—bluish-green or soft green at the base and a red shade that darkens to the edges. It can reach about 12 inches in diameter.
Echeveria pulvinata: The Chenille Plant, also known as the Plush Plant, earns its nickname from the fine, soft, silvery hairs that densely cover its leaves, giving it a velvety look. The vibrant green, red-tipped leaves form a slightly loose rosette. As it matures, it may develop stems that branch out and grow. It can produce orange-yellow, bell-shaped flowers.
Echeveria agavoides 'Romeo Rubin': Many Echeverias have hints of red, but the Romeo Rubin stands out because of its burgundy leaves, with just a bit of green near the center. This small succulent usually grows as a solitary rosette and produces red flowers with a yellow tip.
Various types of Echeveria succulents. Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels.
Echeveria runyonii or Topsy Turvy: This cultivar instantly catches the eye because of the leaves' unusual shape and growth. Whereas most Echeveria species grow outward and upward, the Topsy Turvy grow downwards and inwards. This makes its silvery bluish-green leaves appear whorled. It produces bright orange flowers.
Echeveria 'Black Prince': As the name suggests, this cultivar has dark leaves. Their color is a deep burgundy that can sometimes appear nearly black. However, towards the center, where the new growth occurs, the leaves are partly green, creating a lovely contrast. Its flowers are bright red.
Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’: This cultivar's broad, slightly pointed leaves have a lovely pink-lavender-gray color with a pearly sheen. With more exposure to bright light, the pink and purple become more vibrant colors. It also produces rosy pink and orange flowers.
Echeveria subrigida: The species' best telltale feature is the red margin lining the edges of its bluish-green leaves. The reddish or pinkish edge grows more vibrant with more sunlight. The leaves also have a subtle wave and gentle upward curl.
Echeveria Baron Bold: Most Echeverias are smooth or slightly velvety. But the Baron Bold is incredibly unique with its bumpy texture. Its red, bluish-green leaves with slightly wavy edges form a loose rosette.
Care Guide for the Echeveria
Echeverias are not only prized for their beautiful rosettes but also for their relatively easy care. They are built to endure arid, semi-desert conditions, which is why they can endure infrequent watering.
This is not to say that Echeverias thrives on neglect. They do need some TLC can grow into the excellent houseplants you want them to be. Note that they are generally slow-growing and relatively smaller compared to other succulents.
Watering
Echeverias benefit from a soak-and-dry watering method, which allows the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This can be anywhere around 7 to 10 days in warmer weather. In winter, they may only need water once a month. This mimics the semi-desert environment where long periods of dryness are occasionally interrupted by some rain.
Like many succulents, Echeverias' biggest enemy is overwatering, which leads to root rot. Avoid watering the leaves and feed directly to the base as prolonged moisture sitting on the leaves can also lead to rotting.
Vibrant Succulent Collection in Planters. Photo by TU HAN-WEI via Pexels.
Soil
Echeveria succulents need well-draining soil and pots that have ample drainage holes. A regular cactus mix is ideal, or you can mix your own using potting soil, sand, and perlite or pumice. The goal is a coarse soil that drains well but still provides nutrients. Avoid using soil that provides too much moisture.
Light
Echeverias thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Being desert plants, they can endure full sun outdoors. But in home gardens, these plants grow best in the morning sun followed by afternoon shade, especially in summer months.
Indoors, they love to sit near sunny windows where they can enjoy indirect light for many hours. When there's limited access to natural light, supplement with grow lights. These succulents tend to become leggy and lose their vibrant color with insufficient light.
Temperature
Echeverias grow best in warm and dry conditions. While there are claims that some varieties can handle colder weather, Echeverias generally don't tolerate very low temperatures and aren't frost tolerant. Indoors, they thrive at the average household temperature and humidity. In the winter, take care not to expose them to drafts.
FAQ About the Echeveria
Are Echeverias toxic to cats and dogs?
No, Echeverias are generally non-toxic to cats and dogs. Be aware that when pets consume large quantities of plants, they may experience digestive upset, experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Can Echeveria take full sun?
Yes, Echeverias can tolerate full sunlight. They actually develop better colors with exposure to sunlight for hours each day. But in very hot climates, especially in the summer months, they need shade to avoid sunburn. For indoor plants brought outdoors, make sure to acclimatize them first.
Can an Echeveria grow in water?
No, Echeverias aren't suited for growing in water long-term. However, they can be propagated in water, with just the roots touching the water, for a short period.
When does an Echeveria flower?
Echeverias typically bloom in spring or summer, though they may also bloom in winter when the growing conditions are favorable. As they are slow-growing plants, it may take a while before they produce their first bloom.
Why is my Echeveria dying?
The worst enemy of Echeverias is excess water because it leads to root rot. This often happens due to frequent watering and poorly draining soil. Other culprits include insufficient light and pest invasion. Spider mites, for example, thrive in dry conditions, making your Echeveria an attractive host.
Will Echeveria leaves grow back?
No, Echeveria leaves won't regenerate or grow back from the stem once they're cut. However, a healthy cut leaf may be used to grow roots in water for propagation.
Will my Echeveria die after flowering?
While some succulent species perish after blooming, most Echeverias are polycarpic and will not die post-flowering. This means they can produce blooms multiple times throughout their life.
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Featured Photo by Vung Nguyen from Pexels