Echeveria – Indoor House Plants

Echeveria are highly prized for their colour and the structural qualities they can add to the garden. They do best in either sunny or lightly shaded conditions in relatively dry free draining soil. They require some moisture in the warmer months to perform well, but should be kept as dry as possible in winter. Echeveria is fantastic landscape plant, either mixed with other low growing complimentary varieties such as alyssum or small grasses, or used in a mass planting or border. They are also ideal specimens for pots, particularly bowl-shaped ones that are less likely to retain too much water around the roots of the plants.

How to grow and maintain Echeveria:

Light:

Most succulents are adapted to take extreme amounts of heat and sunlight. With that in mind it is typically best to place them in an area that gets the most sunlight. In a home an east or west facing window where they receive 4-6 hours of sun is ideal. Rotate your succulent a quarter turn daily (or at least twice a week) to prevent stretching and leaning towards the source of light.

Soil:

Succulents enjoy a free draining soil. Mixes heavier in sand and/or perlite make them happiest. It is also recommended to grow them in smaller heavier pots that will stabilize them without providing too much soil. Keeping soil minimal allows excess water to dry away quickly.

Water:

Water the Echeveria plant regularly during the summer and spring. Water once a month in the winter. Never let water sit on Echeveria leaves, as it can rot them and kill the container plant. They are drought-resistant, but they do best with regular waterings and well-draining potting soil.

Fertilizer:

Fertilize Echeverias monthly with a 20-20-20 fertilizer at a quarter strength on mature plants, and fertilize much less with young Echeveria plants.

Temperature:

Keep Echeverias succulents in temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pests and Diseases:

Mealy bugs can be a problem, and if dead leaves are not removed from the plant, it can attract other insect pests or have problems with fungus. Echeveria laui is one species that is less susceptible to mealybugs, thrips and mites, because its heavy coating of powder discourages pests from eating it.

Propagation:

Propagate Echeveria with leaf cuttings, but this succulent plant can be grown from seeds, offsets or stem cuttings. Propagation depends on each specific Echeveria species. For example, Echeveria laui does best when grown from seed or with leaf cuttings, as it does not offset often.