Echeveria secunda (Blue Echeveria)

Scientific Name

Echeveria secunda Booth ex Lindl.

Common Names

Blue Echeveria, Old Hens and Chicks, Hens and Chicks, Glaucous Echeveria

Synonyms

Cotyledon glauca (basionym), Echeveria glauca

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Echeveria

Description

Echeveria secunda is a succulent that forms attractive clumps up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall, tight rosettes of short blue-gray leaves and in late spring appear flowers on up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall arching stems. The flowers are fairly large compared to the plant and have red calyces and yellow petals, giving them a bi-colored appearance. A hint of pink on older leaves and leaf margins is evident, primarily in winter.

Photo via flickr.com

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 Echeveria are susceptible to mealy bugs. 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