Scientific Name
Echeveria 'Violet Queen'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Genus: Echeveria
Etymology
The generic name "Echeveria" (pronounced "ech-eh-VER-ee-a") honors Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy🡕 (fl.1771–1803), an 18th-century botanical artist and naturalist from New Spain who trained at the Royal Art Academy in Mexico City.
The cultivar epithet 'Violet Queen' likely refers to the violet-pink coloration of the leaf margins and tips, which gives the plant its distinctive regal appearance.
Description
Echeveria 'Violet Queen' is a fast-growing succulent that forms rosettes of long, narrow leaves that curve slightly towards the tips, creating an open lotus blossom shape. The rosettes can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and freely offset, forming a dense mound over time. The leaves are silver-green with hints of violet-pink on the edges and tips when moderately stressed by bright sunlight or cool temperatures. They are covered in a silvery, waxy powder.
The pinkish-orange flowers appear nodding on unbranched inflorescences in spring.
Origin
Echeveria 'Violet Queen' is believed to be a hybrid of Echeveria elegans, created by the legendary Santa Barbara horticulturalist Edward (E.O.) Orpet. In New Zealand, it is incorrectly called Echeveria subsessilis.
How to Grow and Care for Echeveria 'Violet Queen'
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Most common Echeveria species are easy to grow, as long as you follow a few basic rules. First, never let water sit in the rosette, as it can cause rot or fungal diseases that can 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 mealybugs. Finally, as with all succulents, careful watering and ample 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 propagated from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in potting soil specifically designed for succulents and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.
Learn more in "How to Grow and Care for Echeveria."
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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