Scientific Name
Echeveria elegans Rose
Common Name(s)
Hens and Chicks, Mexican Gem, Mexican Snowball, Mexican Snow Ball, Pearl Echeveria, White Mexican Rose
Synonym(s)
Echeveria albicans, Echeveria elegans var. hernandonis, Echeveria elegans var. kesselringiana, Echeveria elegans var. tuxpanensis, Echeveria perelegans, Echeveria potosina
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Etymology
The specific epithet "elegans (ELL-eh-ganz)" means "fine, elegant or handsome" and refers to the elegant appearance of this species.
Origin
Echeveria elegans is native to the semi-desert regions of Mexico.
Description
Echeveria elegans is a popular succulent that forms compact rosettes of pale bluish-green, spoon-shaped leaves. It is a variable species with several forms that have only minor differences in the size and shape of leaves and the color of flowers. The leaves are thick and fleshy and can grow up to 2.6 inches (6 cm) long and 0.8 inches (2 cm) broad. If grown in bright sunlight, they can take on a lovely pink blush. The plant offsets freely and forms a dense carpet of rosettes over time.
The rosettes send up slender pinkish stalks that can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall, bearing pinkish-red flowers tipped with yellow from late winter to mid-summer.
How to Grow and Care for Echeveria elegans
Light: E. elegans 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. elegans 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. 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. elegans can withstand temperatures as low as 20 to 50 °F (-6.7 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b.
Watering: Provide moderate amounts of water from spring to fall. The "soak and dry" method is the preferred schedule for watering E. elegans. If you have saucers under the pots, empty the water briefly. During the winter, water it just enough to keep the plants from shriveling.
Fertilizing: E. elegans 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. elegans, 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 elegans
E. elegans has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat it.
Forms and Hybrids of Echeveria elegans
- Echeveria albicans
- Echeveria 'Apus'
- Echeveria 'Gilva'
- Echeveria × gilva 'Red'
- Echeveria 'Hercules'
- Echeveria 'Violet Queen'
- ×Graptoveria 'Fantome'
- ×Sedeveria 'Blue Lotus'
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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