Echeveria is a large genus of
about **0 species of succulents, in the Crassulaceae
family. They are native from Mexico to northwestern South
America. The genus Echeveria is named after the *8th
century Spanich botanist Atanasio Echeverria Codoy. Several
of these species are outstanding garden plants. It's a
genus of justly popular, beautiful and easily grown
succulents, particularly suitable as house plants. Grouping
a variety of Echeveria cultivars together is an ideal way
to display the diverse leaf shapes and forms. The mature
rosettes grow up to *0 cm in diameter and eventually form
many offsets. They mostly have fleshy leaves forming
rosettes of a wide assortment of attractive, geometric
designs in a range of colours from green through grey,
blue, purple, pink to almost white, often with markings in
contrasting shades. The plant does not require any pruning.
Most species lose their lower leaves in winter. Dudleya
prefer to be summer dry, which is their dormant time,
whereas Echeveria are winter dry with active growth during
summer. Given their opposite water needs, it's not wise to
put these two succulents together in a garden. Echeverias
are polycarpic, meaning that they may flower and set seed
many times over the course of their lifetimes. The spikes
of showy, urn or bell-shaped flowers can be yellow, red or
white with some having unusual hues. Hardiness zones ***1,
(*5°C/*5°F, 4°C/*0°F). Most species grow in the shade and
can take some frost. The plant prefers bright direct
sunlight. During the growing period, normal room
temperature is suitable. The plant is fairly drought
tolerant. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. These
plants prefer dry soils and need good drainage. Do not
allow the water to collect on the rosette. Use a good
cactus soil mix. Fertilize once a year by diluting to half
the minimum strength recommended on the label of a standard
house plant fertilizer.
