Scientific Name
Echeveria 'Blood Maria'
Synonym(s)
Echeveria 'Bloody Maria'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Origin
Echeveria 'Blood Maria' is a Korean hybrid by Changhee Nursery. Its parentage is unknown but may involve Echeveria agavoides and Echeveria laui.
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 can grow about 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and slowly produce 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 from the tissue culture propagation of Echeveria 'Blood Maria' is sold under the name Echeveria 'Nightfall'.
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, but commercial potting mixes will also work well.
Temperature: This tender succulent must be brought indoors to survive winter. 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, empty the water briefly. 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. 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. 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 reported toxic effects. It is safe for 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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