We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Echeveria?

By Todd M.
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,043
Share

Echeveria is one of the largest genera of drought-resistant plants in the Crassulaceae family, consisting of over 150 recognized species. These succulents can be easily identified by their rosettes of colorful fleshy leaves. Most Echeveria species are extremely hardy and are able to tolerate harsh, arid climates. There are also more delicate Echeverias that are grown as houseplants. Nearly all species are native to Mexico, but Echeverias are now grown by gardeners throughout the world.

Also known as hen and chicks, Echeverias have thick succulent leaves that are often covered in wax, hairs or a dusty meal. These leaves are usually a shade of blue-green with red or brown tips. More exotic species of Echeveria have bright red or orange leaves that have deeply frilled edges.

The most popular Echeveria species on the market are evergreen succulents like Echeveria elegans, Echeveria domingo and Echeveria spp "Cinderella." E. elegans has the typical hen and chicks formation with tightly packed rosettes that rapidly develop new plants as offshoots. An excellent garden succulent, E. domingo has a formal gray rosette with a stunning stem of pink bell-shaped flowers when the plant is in bloom. Echeveria spp "Cinderella" is a hybrid succulent with large leaves that change from yellow-green to bright red as the plant develops.

Unlike most succulents that are grown as garden plants, Echeverias usually need to be repotted or rerooted after two or three years. The top foliage of the plants should remain healthy throughout the year, but the older bottom leaves typically die back. This can result in an unpleasant appearance that can only be fixed by replanting the entire plant.

Echeverias are particularly susceptible to mealybugs when they are grown as a houseplant. Mealybugs can be detected by white and black specks that form on the leaves of the plant. A minor infestation can be addressed with soap and water. Larger mealybug infestations can be eradicated with a commercial insecticidal spray.

Like many succulents, Echeverias can be propagated using cuttings, offshoots, seeds or even single leaves. These plants require soil that has excellent drainage in order to avoid root rot. Echeverias should be planted where they will receive direct sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. Most of these succulents can handle a variety of climates. There are a handful of species from Northern Mexico that can survive temperatures as low as 20° Fahrenheit (-7° Celsius).

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-echeveria.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.