Scientific Name
Echeveria 'Blue Metal'
Synonym(s)
Echeveria 'Sundown'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Origin
Echeveria 'Blue Metal' is a hybrid created by Dave Poulgrain. The parentage is unknown.
Description
Echeveria 'Blue Metal', also known as Echeveria 'Sundown', is a striking succulent that forms rosettes of colorful, rounded leaves with a pointed tip. The rosettes can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. The fleshy leaves vary in color from orange-brown and green during the cooler months to purple and blue in summer.
The red, bell-shaped flowers appear clustered at the end of tall stalks in late winter and summer.
How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Blue Metal'
Light: E. 'Blue Metal' 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 Metal' 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.
Temperature: This plant is a tender succulent, which means it must be brought indoors for the winter to survive. E. 'Blue Metal' 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. 'Blue Metal'. 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. 'Blue Metal' 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 grows actively. To repot your E. 'Blue Metal', ensure the soil is dry before repotting.
Propagation: Like all 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 'Blue Metal'
E. 'Blue Metal' 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
Photo Gallery
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