Echeveria 'Apus'

Scientific Name

Echeveria 'Apus'

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria

Origin

Echeveria 'Apus' is a hybrid created by Gert Ubink in 2006 in Kudelstaart, Netherlands. It was selected in 2008 and patented (PP26229) in 2015 and results from a cross of an unnamed Echeveria pulidonis cultivar and an unnamed Echeveria elegans cultivar.

Description

Echeveria 'Apus' is a beautiful succulent that forms a compact basal rosette of grey-green leaves with distinct red margins and tips. The rosette can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. It tends to stay solitary but can produce a few offsets with age. The leaves are fleshy, smooth, and lance-shaped with a short, sharp tip. They can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

In late spring and summer, the yellow, bell-shaped flowers appear in unbranched inflorescences that rise well above the rosettes. They can reach up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in length and up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter. The lower flowers open first.

How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Apus'

Light: E. 'Apus' prefers full sun to partial shade. If you move your plant outside in the spring, do it gradually. The intense afternoon sun can cause sunburn. During the winter, when your E. 'Apus' is inside, 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 create their own mix, but commercial succulent potting mixes work well.

Temperature: This plant is a tender succulent, which means it must be brought indoors for the winter to survive. E. 'Apus' can withstand temperatures as low as 30 °F (-1.1 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10a to 11b, 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C).

Watering: Provide moderate amounts of water from spring to fall. The "soak and dry" method is the preferred schedule for watering E. 'Apus'. If you have saucers under the pots, empty the water briefly. Water your plant just enough to keep it from shriveling during winter.

Fertilizing: E. 'Apus' grows well without fertilizer but may benefit from the extra nutrients. In spring, use a slow-release or 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 grows actively. To repot your E. 'Apus', ensure the soil is dry before repotting.

Propagation: Like most Echeverias, this succulent is usually propagated from leaves or offsets. Spring is the best time to take leaf cuttings and separate offsets.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.

Toxicity of Echeveria 'Apus'

E. 'Apus' has no reported toxic effects. It is safe for pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat it.

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