Echeveria 'Christmas'

Scientific Name

Echeveria 'Christmas'

Synonym(s)

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Echeveria 'Christmas' is a beautiful succulent that forms tight rosettes of fleshy apple-green leaves with a strong reddish tinge near the edges and a darker red terminal spine. The rosettes grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter. Flowers are yellow to light orange and appear on a thin, up to 16 inches (40 cm) long flowering stem in summer.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Most of the common Echeveria species are not complicated succulents to grow, provided you follow a few basic rules. First, be careful never to let water sit in the rosette as it can cause rot or fungal diseases that will kill the plant. Additionally, remove dead leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows. These dead leaves provide a haven for pests, and Echeverias are susceptible to mealy bugs. Finally, as with all succulents, careful watering habits and plenty of light will help ensure success.

Most Echeveria can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in a succulent or cacti mix and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.

Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.

Origin

This succulent is a hybrid between Echeveria pulidonis and unknown Echeveria. It is often listed as a cultivar of Echeveria agavoides or as a hybrid between E. agavoides and E. pulidonis, but an influence of E. agavoides is not visible.