Scientific Name
Echeveria setosa Rose & Purpus
Common Names
Firecracker Echeveria, Firecracker Plant, Mexican Firecracker
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Echeveria
Origin
Native to Mexico (common throughout Puebla).
Description
Echeveria setosa is an attractive succulent with short branching stems and rosettes of fleshy green leaves covered with fine white hairs. The rosettes grow up to 4.8 inches (12 cm) in diameter. Leaves are spoon-shaped, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) long, and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide. Flowers are orange-red with yellow tips and appear on up to 12 inches (30 cm) long stalks fro late spring to summer.
The specific epithet "setosa" derives from the Latin "seta," meaning "bristle" and refers to the hairs on leaves.
Photo by Werner Krell
How to Grow and Care for Echeveria setosa
Soil: Echeverias need potting soil mix that drains quickly. Many growers will create their own mix. However, commercial cactus and succulent potting soil will work fine.
Light: These succulents prefer full sun to partial shade. However, try to avoid drastic sunlight changes and full afternoon sun, especially in summer. During the winter, when your succulents are inside, put them near the brightest window in your home.
Hardiness: Echeveria setosa can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Watering: When and how to water is a crucial part of Echeveria care. They do not like to be kept too wet, but they also do not like to be kept too dry. The "soak and dry" method is the preferred schedule for watering Echeverias.
Fertilizing: Echeverias grow well without fertilizer but may benefit from the extra nutrients.
Repotting: Repot when needed in the spring or early summer.
Propagation: Echeverias are one of the easiest succulents to propagate. They are usually propagated from offsets or leaves, but they can also be grown from stem cuttings and seed.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.
Toxicity of Echeveria setosa
Echeverias are safe around pets and humans, although it is not advisable to eat them.
Varieties, Forms, and Hybrids
- Echeveria setosa var. ciliata
- Echeveria setosa var. deminuta
- Echeveria 'Dondo'
- Echeveria 'Doris Taylor'
- Echeveria 'Doris Taylor' f. cristata
- Echeveria 'Set-Oliver'
Links
- Back to genus Echeveria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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