Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Scientific Name

Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Synonym(s)

Echeveria 'Bluebird'

Scientific Classification

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

Origin

This hybrid is probably a cross between Echeveria colorata and Echeveria desmetiana created by Frank Reinelt.

Description

Echeveria 'Blue Bird' is a beautiful succulent that forms rosettes of thick silvery-blue leaves with a powdery coating. The rosettes grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter, but they will stay smaller if the offsets are left to cluster. Leaves get bright pink margins in fall and winter. Flowers are pinkish-orange and appear in summer on slender, up to 10 inches (25 cm) long stalks.

How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Blue Bird'

Light: E. 'Blue Bird' 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. 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 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. '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, 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. 'Blue Bird' 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. 'Blue Bird', make sure 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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