Echeveria 'Madiba'

Scientific Name

Echeveria 'Madiba'

Scientific Classification

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

Etymology

The hybrid name honors Nelson Mandela, who was also known as Madiba, his Xhosa clan name.

Origin

Echeveria 'Madiba' is a chance hybrid that originated in the nursery of Paco Serrano in Spain.

Description

Echeveria 'Madiba' is a magnificent slow-growing succulent that forms stemless, usually solitary or clustering rosettes of rigid triangular leaves with wavy edges and a reddish spiny point. The rosettes can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. The young plants have leaves with straight margins. After about two years, they start to develop wavy margins, becoming more pronounced with age. The leaves are light gray, tending to pink with shades of orange when exposed to bright sunlight.

The flowers are pink-orange outside and orange inside and appear in summer on slender stalks that can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) in height.

How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Madiba'

Light: E. 'Madiba' 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. 'Madiba' 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. 'Madiba' 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. 'Madiba'. If you have saucers under the pots, empty the water after a short time. Water your plant just enough to keep it from shriveling during winter.

Fertilizing: E. 'Madiba' 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. 'Madiba', 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 'Madiba'

E. 'Madiba' has no toxic effects reported. It is safe around pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat it.

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