Scientific Name
Echeveria agavoides Lem.
Common Name(s)
Molded Wax, Molded Wax Agave, Molded Wax Plant, Wax Agave, Wax Echeveria
Synonym(s)
Cotyledon agavoides, Echeveria obscura, Echeveria yuccoides, Urbinia agavoides, Urbinia obscura
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Origin
This species is native to rocky areas of Mexico.
Description
Echeveria agavoides is a stemless succulent with a dense, usually solitary rosette of thick fleshy triangular leaves with a terminal spine. The rosette grows up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. Leaves are apple green with edges that can turn reddish in bright sunlight. Flowers appear in summer arranged in slender, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long cymes. They are pinkish-red or orange, with petals tipped with dark yellow.
Etymology
The specific epithet "agavoides (ah-gav-OH-id-eez)" means "resembling Agave" and refers to the likeness of the species to members of the genus Agave. It is a compound of two words, the generic name "Agave" and the Latin suffix "-oides," meaning "looks like" or "similar to."
How to Grow and Care for Echeveria agavoides
Light: E. agavoides prefers full sun to partial shade. If you are moving your plant outside in the spring, do it gradually. The intense afternoon sun can cause sunburn. When your E. agavoides is inside during the winter, put it near the brightest window in your home. It will stretch if it does not have enough sunlight.
Soil: This succulent needs a potting soil mix that drains quickly. Many growers will create their own mix. However, commercial succulent potting mixes will work fine.
Hardiness: This plant is a tender succulent, which means it must be brought indoors for the winter to survive. E. agavoides can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Watering: Provide moderate amounts of water from spring to fall. The "soak and dry" method is the preferred schedule for watering E. agavoides. If you have saucers under the pots, make sure after a short time to empty the water. During the winter months, water just enough to keep the plants from shriveling.
Fertilizing: E. agavoides grows well without fertilizer but may benefit from the extra nutrients. Use a slow-release fertilizer in spring or a liquid fertilizer diluted 2 to 4 times more than usual and used less often than recommended.
Repotting: Repot the plant only as needed during spring or early summer when it is actively growing. To repot your E. agavoides, ensure the soil is dry before repotting.
Propagation: Like all Echeverias, this succulent is usually propagated from leaves and offsets, but it can also be grown from stem cuttings and seeds. Spring is the best time to take cuttings and separate offsets. Sow the seeds in spring or summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.
Toxicity of Echeveria agavoides
E. agavoides has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat it.
Forms, Cultivars, and Hybrids of Echeveria agavoides
- Echeveria agavoides 'Aquamarine'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Corderoyi'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Cristata'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Ebony'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Maria'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Miranda'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Prolifera'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Rajoya'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Red Edge'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Romeo'
- Echeveria agavoides 'Romeo Rubin'
- Echeveria agavoides × pulidonis
- Echeveria 'Frank Reinelt'
- Echeveria 'Gilva'
- Echeveria 'Icycle'
- Echeveria 'J.C. Van Keppel'
- Echeveria 'Haageana'
- Echeveria 'Macabeana'
- Echeveria 'Margaret Martin'
- Echeveria 'Tippy'
- Echeveria 'Water Lily'
Links
- Back to genus Echeveria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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