Scientific Name
Echeveria 'Blood Maria'
Synonym(s)
Echeveria 'Bloody Maria'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Description
Echeveria 'Blood Maria', also sold as Echeveria 'Bloody Maria', is a beautiful succulent that forms rosettes of fleshy, pointed, mid-green leaves adorned with dark maroon speckles. The rosettes grow about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter, slowly producing offsets at the base. When stressed, the leaves turn dark maroon to almost black.
During the summer, the rosettes produce small, bell-shaped flowers in clusters hanging from arching stalks. They are dark pink outside and orange inside.
A different plant coming from tissue culture propagation of Echeveria 'Blood Maria' is sold under the name Echeveria 'Nightfall'.
Origin
Echeveria 'Blood Maria' is a Korean hybrid by Changhee Nursery. The parentage is unknown, possibly involving Echeveria agavoides and Echeveria laui.
How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Blood Maria'
Light: E. 'Blood Maria' 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. 'Blood Maria' 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. However, commercial potting mixes for succulents will work fine.
Temperature: This plant is a tender succulent, which means it must be brought indoors for the winter to survive. E. 'Blood Maria' 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. 'Blood Maria'. If you have saucers under the pots, make sure after a short time to empty the water. Water your plant just enough to keep it from shriveling during winter.
Fertilizing: E. 'Blood Maria' 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. To repot your E. 'Blood Maria', 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 'Blood Maria'
E. 'Blood Maria' has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat it.
Links
- Back to genus Echeveria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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