Echeveria.

De un vistazo

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Succulent

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 10 to 21 days

Mature size

15 to 30 cm

Growth rate

slow

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 12

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Cuidados

Provide plenty of bright light to keep the rosettes tight and compact. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for mushy leaves, which often signal that the plant is sitting in too much moisture.

Watering

Water deeply only when the soil has completely dried out.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or shriveled lower leaves and spent flower stalks.

Repotting

Repot when the plant outgrows its container or the soil becomes depleted.

Soil

Well-draining cactus or succulent mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

5 to 30°C

Humidity

10 to 40%

Drought tolerance

high

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years with proper care.

Deer and rabbits

high

Seguridad

People

Echeveria are generally considered non toxic to humans.

Pets

Echeveria is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The succulent leaves can be a choking hazard for small children if broken off and placed in the mouth.

Contact allergens

The powdery coating on some leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There is no significant risk of respiratory allergies from this plant.

Edibility

While not considered toxic, these succulents are not meant for human consumption and may cause digestive upset.

Cómo identificarla

• Symmetrical, rose-like leaf rosettes
• Fleshy, succulent leaves
• Often covered in powdery farina
• Bell-shaped flowers on tall stalks

Height

0.05 to 0.2m

Spread

0.05 to 0.3m

Leaves

green, blue-green, pink, purple, evergreen

Flowers

orange, red, yellow, pink, 1 to 2cm

Problemas frecuentes

• Mealybugs — These tiny white cottony insects hide in the crevices of the rosettes.
• Root rot — Overwatering causes the roots to decay and the plant to collapse.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagation

leaf cuttings, offsets, seed

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

Move plants indoors before the first frost, as they are not frost tolerant. Keep them in a bright, cool spot and reduce water significantly during the winter months.

In containers

They are excellent in pots, provided the container has drainage holes and is sized just slightly larger than the root ball.

Group succulents with similar water requirements together to avoid overwatering the drought tolerant ones.

Buenas compañeras

• Sedum — They share similar water and light needs for a cohesive succulent display.
• Haworthia — These plants provide a nice textural contrast while thriving in similar conditions.

Mantenla lejos de

• Ferns — Ferns require high humidity and moisture that will quickly rot an Echeveria.

Especies parecidas

• Sempervivum — They look very similar but are much more cold hardy than Echeveria.
• Graptopetalum — These have a similar rosette form but often grow with more trailing stems.

Ciencia

Native range

Semi desert regions of Mexico and Central America.

Conservation

Most Echeveria species are not currently threatened, but some rare wild populations are protected from collection.

These plants survive in arid environments by storing water in their fleshy leaves and growing in rocky, well drained soil.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental container plant, rock garden accent, vertical wall planting

Lo que más preguntan

How often should I water my Echeveria?

Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering deeply.

Do they need direct sun?

Yes, they thrive in bright, direct light to keep their compact shape.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus is named after Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy, a talented botanical artist who documented plants in Mexico. The common name simply follows the scientific classification.

Bueno saberlo

• They are often called hens and chicks because the mother plant produces many smaller offsets.
• The leaves store water to help the plant survive long dry spells.
• They come in a huge variety of colors including pink, blue, and deep purple.
• Echeveria are native to semi desert areas in Mexico and Central America.