Echeveria Growing Guide
What is Echeveria?
Echeveria (Echeveria spp.) is a mat forming, evergreen, perennial succulent. It is part of the Crassulaceae or stonecrop family and is native to Mexico with a few species also from Central America. This genus of 150 species is comprised of mainly small, neat, compact rosette-forming succulents. The leaves are fleshy and may have a powdery coating. The foliage mainly comes in colours of green, blue to grey, or silver, many with pink flushes. Some Echeverias can change colour over the course of the year. The pinks and reds will become most prominent in Winter and in full sun. During Spring and Summer bell shaped flowers are held on stems above the foliage. Flower colours can be red, pink, orange or yellow. Echeveria should be planted in a position that gets full sun or placed in a bright area if planted in a pot.
Benefits of Growing Echeveria
Echeveria are easy to grow and require little attention. They are ideal for rockeries, pots, water wise gardens or hanging baskets. Echeverias multiply rapidly and grow easily from cuttings.
How to Grow Echeveria
Echeveria Hercules
Climatic Zones
Cool to mild tropical.
Plant Size
Height: 10-30cm, Width: 8-30cm
When To Plant Echeveria
Plant anytime.
Soil Preparation
They need a well drained, gritty soil. When planting in pots use a specialist succulent potting mix.
How To Plant Echeveria
Plant in full sun to bright indirect light, with the plant crown at soil level. Spacing varys depending on variety.
Echeveria Plant Care
Water when soil is dry to touch. Let the soil dry out between waterings. Potted plants should not be left in a wet saucer.
Apply a slow release fertiliser at the beginning of the growing season (Spring).
Carefully remove dead old leaves by pulling gently.
You can carefully remove and repot the pups that are produced.
Various pests such as aphids, mealy bugs and slugs can be a problem.
Recommended Echeveria Varieties
Echeveria Black Knight
Echeveria Dondo
Echeveria Domingo
