Echeveria 'Gila'

Scientific Name

Echeveria 'Gila'

Scientific Classification

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

Origin

Echeveria 'Gila' is a hybrid created by Gerhard Köhres and results from a cross between Echeveria gigantea and Echeveria laui. He appears to have abbreviated "gigantea" and "laui" to get the name "Gila," which means "crazy" in the Malaysian language.

Description

Echeveria 'Gila' is a charming succulent that forms large rosettes of broad, fleshy leaves with pink to pale red margins. The leaves can be gray-green, blue-green, reddish, or pinkish, depending on the season and growing conditions.

The flowers are bell-shaped, pinkish-red, and appear in arching clusters on leafy stalks in summer.

Hardiness

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

How to Grow and Care

Most 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. As with all succulents, careful watering habits and plenty of light will help ensure success.

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

Most Echeverias can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although some are better from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in potting soil for succulents and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.

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