Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Scientific Name

Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Synonym(s)

Echeveria 'Bluebird'

Scientific Classification

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

Origin

Echeveria 'Blue Bird' is a hybrid created by Frank Reinelt. It probably results from a cross between Echeveria colorata and Echeveria desmetiana.

Description

Echeveria 'Blue Bird' is a beautiful succulent that forms rosettes of thick silvery-blue leaves with a powdery coating. The rosettes can reach up to 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter but will stay smaller if the offsets are left to cluster. In fall and winter, the leaves get bright pink margins.

The pinkish-orange flowers appear in summer on slender stalks that can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long.

How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Light: E. 'Blue Bird' 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. 'Blue Bird' 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 will work fine.

Hardiness: This plant is a tender succulent, which means it must be brought indoors for the winter to survive. E. 'Blue Bird' 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. 'Blue Bird'. If you have saucers under the pots, empty the water briefly. During winter, water is just enough to keep the plants from shriveling.

Fertilizing: E. 'Blue Bird' grows well without fertilizer but may benefit from the extra nutrients. In spring, use a slow-release fertilizer 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 grows actively. To repot your E. 'Blue Bird', 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 'Blue Bird'

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

Photo Gallery

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