Echeveria
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ech-eh-ver-EE-a
- Description
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Echeveria is a genus of plants in the succulent family Crassulaceae. They are native to desert regions of Texas into South America and are therefore quite drought tolerant. Their coarse texture makes these plants excellent accents in rock or crevice gardens. They're also a popular house plant due to their small size at maturity, usually smaller than a foot. They will often make numerous offsets that can be removed and rooted once big enough.
These plants grow best in bright light and well-drained soil with a little organic matter. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, but too little light can cause color loss. Water about once a week, never letting the soil fully dry out. They are very beginner-friendly houseplants and are easy to care for.
Quick ID:
- Thick, fleshy, upright leaves in a mounding habit
- Entire margins with a point at the tip
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Metal'
Hybrid with mottled leaves in many colors
E. derenbergii
- E. runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'
Award-winning; curved, rectangular leaves
E. secunda
- 'Pulv-oliver'
Also known as Plush Plant
E. elegans
E. multicaulis
E. x gliva
- 'Blue Metal'
- 'Blue Metal', E. derenbergii, E. elegans, E. multicaulis, E. runyonii 'Topsy Turvy', E. secunda, E. x gliva, 'Pulv-oliver'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Metal'
Hybrid with mottled leaves in many colors
E. derenbergii
- E. runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'
Award-winning; curved, rectangular leaves
E. secunda
- 'Pulv-oliver'
Also known as Plush Plant
E. elegans
E. multicaulis
E. x gliva
- 'Blue Metal'
- 'Blue Metal', E. derenbergii, E. elegans, E. multicaulis, E. runyonii 'Topsy Turvy', E. secunda, E. x gliva, 'Pulv-oliver'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Echeveria
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Texas to Argentina
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Tiny black seeds in a capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- An inflorescence of 5-7 tubular flowers in a combination of pink, orange, or yellow. Blooms multiple times in the plant's lifetime.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Thick, fleshy leaves that vary in shape and color among species, hybrids, and cultivars. They have a point at the tip, but can be distinguished from Aonium by the entire margins and more upright habit. Most are smooth and hairless and some have a glaucous bloom on the surface.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- Short, succulent stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Rock Wall
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
