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Echeveria elegans

Previously known as:

  • Echeveria perelegans
Phonetic Spelling
ek-eh-VER-ee-ah ELL-eh-ganz
Description

White Mexican Rose is a perennial succulent that is native to Northeastern Mexico and grows well in sub-tropical climates such as Southern California. The plant grows in rosette-shaped clumps and has striking flower stalks that bloom from late winter to summer.

Here in North Carolina, Echeveria is grown most often as a houseplant in shallow containers. The plant is also used outside in rock gardens and in containers on sunny, dry spots such as decks or patios. Echeveria plants do well in full sun to partial shade and are relatively disease-free. The most common problem with these plants is overwatering as they prefer dry, well-drained soil. They are easily propagated with cuttings or leaves or division of the offsets or “pups” that are produced by this plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, aphids, and vine weevils. No significant diseases.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Echeveria.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Container Gardens
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    thick, spoon-shaped, pale green leaves that transition to white with peachy-pink coloring
  • 'Hyaliana'
    tight rosettes of spoon-shaped, pale green leaves that turn pink and purple
  • 'Raspberry'
    small, dense blue-green leaves with a white powdery coating
  • 'Super Clone'
    larger, thicker foliage of olive green to white, larger flowers
'Alba', 'Hyaliana', 'Raspberry', 'Super Clone'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#pink flowers#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#clumping#dry soils tolerant#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#perennial#contorted stems
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
    thick, spoon-shaped, pale green leaves that transition to white with peachy-pink coloring
  • 'Hyaliana'
    tight rosettes of spoon-shaped, pale green leaves that turn pink and purple
  • 'Raspberry'
    small, dense blue-green leaves with a white powdery coating
  • 'Super Clone'
    larger, thicker foliage of olive green to white, larger flowers
'Alba', 'Hyaliana', 'Raspberry', 'Super Clone'
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#pink flowers#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#clumping#dry soils tolerant#winter flowers#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical#container plant#perennial#contorted stems
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Echeveria
    Species:
    elegans
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    NE Mexico to Veracruz
    Distribution:
    Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, and Mexico Southwest
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Inconspicuous capsules
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Winter
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Long slender stalks of 5-7 pink tubular flowers with yellow tips in winter and spring. Blooms multiple times in the plant's lifetime.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    tight rosettes of pale green-blue or silvery-green fleshy leaves. Up to 2.5 inches long and .8 inches wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
    Stem Description:
    Grayish green fleshy stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat