Echeveria Succulents – How to Grow, Care & Water Them

When it comes to the world’s best rare succulents, Echeverias are the most popular and can be found in so many succulent gardens, terrariums, floral arrangements, and even artwork.

They have rosette-shaped leaves that are thick and vary in color from one variety to another, making them great for indoor and outdoor gardens. 

They are low-maintenance plants that are natives to Southern Mexico and South America. Their unique shape and color are what make them popular.

What Are Echeveria Succulents

Generally, Echeveria is a genus of 150 plant species belonging to the Crassulaceae family and are native to semi-desert regions like Central America, Mexico, and South America. 

Over time, Echeverias have been hybridized a lot, creating hundreds of hybrids and cultivars that range in size, color, and shape of the leaves. Echeverias, however, produce stunning flowers,s which is why they are so common. They have uniquely shaped rosette leaves that are plump due to storing water. 

Echeveria varieties can grow to different sizes, with some growing to the size of a dinner plate. Their pearlescent tones create stunning focal points for rock gardens, potted arrangements, decors as well as favors. 

Another thing to note about Echeverias is that they produce flowers multiple times in the year hence great decorative pieces. 

Benefits of Echeveria Succulents

Colorful

Of all the premium colorful succulents out there, Echeverias are the most common, and for a good reason. The succulents come in different colors and sizes and not to mention they are rose-shaped. 

The plant flowers multiple times with colors ranging from pink, reddish-orange blossoms, and yellow-tipped leaves. A purple succulent will add character to your arrangement, for instance. 

Grow Quickly

Echeverias grow quickly and function well as ground covers but can also do well in containers compared to other succulents.  

Improve Humidity Within Your Home

Just like other succulents, Echeverias can help improve the humidity in your home. 

This increase in moisture can help improve conditions such as sore throat, dry cough, common colds, and dry and itchy skin. 

How Do Echeveria Succulents Work

Echeverias, as mentioned earlier, do well in semi-desert conditions and are characterized by rosettes that have unique features and colors. 

The rosettes vary in sizes as well as shapes, from tight and short-stemmed ones to hanging stems. Echeverias don’t grow so big, but some varieties can reach up to 12 inches wide. 

The leaves also vary from one variety to another, with some having thin leaves while others have thick, smooth or furry leaves. 

The leaves also come in different colors and shades and due to their desirability, the Echeveria is the most hybridized succulent. Echeveria succulents can be propagated from offsets, leaves, or seeds.

Pros and Cons of Echeveria Succulents

Pros

• They are easy to care for and maintain since they do well in semi-desert regions.
• They grow faster than other succulent varieties and flower multiple times.
• They come in a variety of shades and colors, which makes them great decorative plants. 

Cons

• Echeverias, when exposed to too much sunlight, can start burning. At the same time, if they don’t receive enough sunlight, the plants are likely to become leggy. 

Features of Echeveria Succulents

Size and Growth

Echeveria Succulents are compact plants characterized by plump leaves that vary in color from red to pink and appear to glow when exposed to the right light. 

Leaves and Texture

The Echeveria succulent features a beautiful rosette shape with overlapping leaves that are thick and spatulate. The rich and authentic color of rose succulents like Echeveria will vary from bright green, blue-green, purple, dusty gray, pink, black, to red. 

Flowering and Fragrance

The blooms on Echeveria succulents grow on the flower stalks and stems of the flowers and come in different shades that always seem to contrast with the background foliage color. 

Uses

Echeveria succulents can be kept as house plants, especially in colder climates, but they also thrive as bedding plants in warmer climates. In smaller spaces, the plants can do well as specimen plants. The plants also do well in indoor gardens as well as terrariums. 

When grown outdoors, they are perfect for succulent gardens and rock gardens alike. An Echeveria succulent will also thrive when grown in a container as long as the container is well-draining to prevent root rot. 

Echeveria Succulents Requirements

Sunlight

Just like flapjack succulents prefer full sunlight exposure, Echeverias are sun-loving plants that require at least four to five hours of direct sunlight every day, although six hours is more ideal.

What happens if Echeverias don’t receive enough sunlight? The stems are going to lengthen, which leads to leggy plants in a bid to try and reach the source of light. 

Echeverias that are not exposed to enough sunlight is also unlikely to flower. Placing the plant outdoors during summer will help it thrive.

When the weather changes and you need to bring the plants indoors, like during the spring months, you gradually help the plant adapt to the changes.

Immediate exposure to the afternoon sunlight can cause the plant to sunburn, so place the plant in an area where it will receive partial shade when the sun is too hot.

Temperature and Humidity

Echeverias are natives to semi-desert regions and, therefore, will thrive in hot and dry conditions. What Echeverias don’t tolerate is cold temperatures and drafts.

When exposed to too much humidity also, the roots will begin rotting. The average household humidity and temperature levels are enough as long as the plant is not placed in areas like the bathroom or laundry room where they will be exposed to too much humidity. 

Just as most ground cover succulents can tolerate a wide array of temperatures, most Echeveria varieties are cold hardy to USDA zone 9a. If you live in a very cold region, it is advisable to move the plants inside to prevent freezing. 

Watering

Watering is one of the most important factors you need to pay attention to when you have a succulent. Like most succulents, Echeverias don’t need to be watered daily, but you also don’t have to leave the plant dry for too long.

If you notice the leaves wrinkling, it is a sign that the plant needs to be watered. When watering your succulents, you need to keep in mind that you are better off under watering your plants than overwatering them. 

Root rot is one of the tell-tale signs of an overwatered succulent. When it comes to watering, you need to water the plants only when the soil has dried up completely. 

If you have potted plants, make sure that the water streams through the drain holes. If you are using a saucer under the pot, drain any standing water that may be left after watering. 

Echeverias needs water more during the summer months than during winter. Even when it is hot, make sure that you give them just enough water to prevent leaf wrinkling. 

Soil

Like most succulents, Echeverias need to be planted in good quality succulent soil that is well-draining to prevent root rot. A standard cactus potting mix will do, which you can buy at any garden center or nursery. 

You can, however, create your own potting mix by mixing three parts of regular soil, one part perlite and two parts coarse sand. While Echeverias are houseplants, they can also do well in garden beds, as long as they are planted in well-draining soil. 

Pot Size

When planting succulents, you need to make sure that you use a pot that is 5 to 10% bigger than the plant. For an Echeveria that is four inches wide, a 4.5-inch in diameter pot will do or something just a little bigger than the rosette. 

Fertilizing

When growing Echeverias, regular fertilization is not necessary as the plants are adaptable to nutrient-poor soils.

As such, the application of fertilizer may lead to burning. Occasionally, feed the plants during the summer and spring months using cactus or succulent fertilizer or a well-diluted liquid fertilizer. 

Potting and Repotting

Echeveria succulents don’t need frequent repotting and only need to be repotted when they have outgrown the container. 

When repotting, make sure that the soil is dry before you remove the plant from the container. Remove any excess soil from the roots and then place the plant in the new pot. 

It is recommended that you re-pot the Echeveria during the spring months since this is when the plant will enter its active growing phase. After replanting, wait about a week before watering the plant to avoid root rot. 

Pruning

Echeverias don’t require any pruning since they are self-pruning. The only thing you need is to pick out the dead flowers and leaves to prevent any disease and rot. 

Pests or Diseases Control

Echeverias that have been exposed to plenty of light, adequate watering, and warm air shouldn’t cause you any problems. If you encounter any issues, the chances are that you are either overwatering your plants or the temperature and lighting are not sufficient.

Exposure to low light can cause the leaves to turn pale and look stretched. If you notice such changes, move the plant to a brightly lit area. You also need to worry about mealybugs when you have these plants. Rather than using an insecticide, though, spray an insecticidal soil drench instead. 

Propagation

Echeverias can be propagated differently, either using stem cuttings, seeds, leaf cuttings, or offspring plants. 

When using leaves, clip off healthy leaves from the plant for propagation. Make sure that you choose mature leaves since they develop roots easily, which is the same thing you would do when planting bunny ears.

How to Grow Echeveria Succulents

Step 1 – Using offsets

Echeveria succulents self-propagate through offsets that are nestled against the mother rosette. You only need to pull the little rosette and replant it in well-draining soil. 

Step 2 – Using leaves

A majority of Echeverias can be grown from healthy leaf cuttings. Twist the leaf from the stem and then leave it to callus for a few days before placing it in well-draining soil.

When you are propagating using leaves, remove at least two leaves to increase the chances of growing into new plants. 

Step 3 – Propagation using stem cuttings

While propagating using stem cuttings is not as common with succulents that grow low to the ground like Echeverias, you can still use stem cutting. Cut the stems clean and leave them to callus for a few days before planting in well-draining soil. 

Step 4 – Propagating using seeds

When you are growing Echeverias using seeds, the quality of the seeds matters, fresh seeds have higher chances of germinating than the not-so-fresh ones. Make sure that you sow the seeds during the summer or spring months. 

Your seeds should start germinating after two to three weeks and the seedlings will take anywhere between 18 months to 3 years to reach maturity. 

 

How to Care for Echeverias

Step 1 – Potting soil

Echeverias require well-draining soil, failure to which the roots may start rotting. A mixture of cactus soil and perlite mixed in a 1:1 ratio will do. You could also combine cactus soil, normal potting soil, and coarse sand.

Step 2 – Watering

Most succulents like black succulents are sensitive to overwatering, so you are better off underwatering your plants than overwatering them. 

Echeverias thrive in semi-desert conditions and therefore don’t need to be watered as such. The only time you need to water your plants is when the soil has dried completely. 

Your succulents will need to be watered more during the summer months than winter months. During their active growing season, water the plants until water seeps out through the drainage holes in potted plants. After that, you need to wait until the soil has dried to water them again. 

Step 3 – Fertilizer

With Echeveria succulents, fertilizing is not mandatory as these plants are used to growing in nutrient-poor soils. 

If you feel that the plants need a boost after sitting in the same container for over a year, repot the plant and then add a balanced fertilizer or specialized cacti or succulent fertilizer. 

Step 4 – Sunlight

Some Echeveria varieties thrive when exposed to full sun, while others could do with partial shade. 

Most Echeverias, however, need about four to six hours of sunlight. However, the fragile ones and young plants won’t do well when exposed to full, intense sun and need to be sheltered to prevent sunburn.  

 

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

When buying seedlings or stem and leaf cuttings for propagating, more spending could mean more quality. In seed propagation, the higher the quality of the seeds, the higher the chances of them germinating. 

Therefore, when buying seeds, buy from a reputable nursery, even if that means spending a little more than you had anticipated. 

Dos and Don’ts With Echeveria Succulents

Do’s

• Do remove any dead leaves and flowers to prevent disease and rot from taking over.
• Do ensure that you expose your succulents to four to six hours of sunlight during the day.
• During the winter months, do bring your potted succulents inside to prevent freezing.
• Do ensure that you choose quality and fresh seeds for propagation because these are likely to germinate. 

Don’ts

• Do not overwater your succulents, as this will lead to root rot. 
• Do not over-fertilize your Echeverias succulents, as this will lead to fertilizer burns. 

FAQ About Echeveria Succulents

Does Echeveria need sun?

Echeverias are native to semi-desert regions and thrive when exposed to four to six hours of full sun. 

Is Echeveria toxic?

Echeverias are not toxic to animals or humans and therefore, you never have to worry about growing the plant around pets and humans.

Can Echeveria grow indoors?

Echeverias are mostly outdoor plants, but over the years, they have become trendy indoor houseplants.

How big do Echeveria succulents get?

Echeveria succulents range in size from a few inches tall to up to 12 inches, depending on the variety. 

Can I cut my Echeveria?

Yes, if your Echeveria succulent becomes leggy, it’s okay to cut it. This will normally happen when the plant has not been exposed to enough sunlight. 

How do you fix leggy Echeveria?

The simple solution would be to move the succulent to a southern exposure. Succulents will usually become leggy if they are not exposed to full sun. After moving the plant, you will still have the leggy part, which you can fix by removing the part of the plant that is too long so that new shoots can develop into a more compact succulent.  

How often should Echeveria be watered?

Watering your Echeveria once a week is more than enough. Usually, with succulents, you want to water them when the soil has dried up completely. 

Which is the most beautiful Echeveria?

The ‘Perle Von Nurnberg’ is not only the most popular of the Echeveria family, but it is also the most beautiful featuring a rosette of paddle-shaped leaves that have a dusty appearance. When exposed to low light, the leaves appear grayish but will turn bright pink and purple when exposed to direct sun. 

Conclusion

Echeverias are the most common of succulents and they are also the easiest to care for. The succulents are well adapted to hot and dry conditions but will not do well in extremely cold regions. Like with other succulents, they can be propagated using seeds, leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, or offsets. They are typically outdoor succulents, but over the years, they have become indoor houseplants.

When watering Echeverias, make sure that you don’t overwater your plants as this can cause rotting. Also, make sure that the plants are planted in well-draining soil and exposed to at least four hours of full sun every day. Echeverias don’t need much maintenance in that they are self-pruning and the only thing you need to do is remove any dead leaves and flowers to prevent diseases and rot.

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