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Echeveria is a large genus of about 100 species of
succulents, in the Crassulaceae family. They are native
from Mexico to northwestern South America. The genus
Echeveria is named after the 18th century Spanich
botanist Atanasio Echeverria Codoy. Several of these
species are outstanding garden plants. It's a genus of
justly popular, beautiful and easily grown succulents,
particularly suitable as house plants. Grouping a variety
of Echeveria cultivars together is an ideal way to
display the diverse leaf shapes and forms. The mature
rosettes grow up to 20 cm in diameter and eventually form
many offsets.
They mostly have fleshy leaves forming rosettes of a wide
assortment of attractive, geometric designs in a range of
colours from green through grey, blue, purple, pink to
almost white, often with markings in contrasting shades.
The plant does not require any pruning. Most species lose
their lower leaves in winter. Dudleya prefer to be summer
dry, which is their dormant time, whereas Echeveria are
winter dry with active growth during summer. Given their
opposite water needs, it's not wise to put these two
succulents together in a garden.
Echeverias are polycarpic, meaning that they may flower
and set seed many times over the course of their
lifetimes. The spikes of showy, urn or bell-shaped
flowers can be yellow, red or white with some having
unusual hues.
Hardiness zones 9-11, (-5°C/25°F, 4°C/40°F). Most
species grow in the shade and can take some frost. The
plant prefers bright direct sunlight. During the growing
period, normal room temperature is suitable. The plant is
fairly drought tolerant. Allow the soil to dry between
waterings. These plants prefer dry soils and need good
drainage. Do not allow the water to collect on the
rosette. Use a good cactus soil mix. Fertilize once a
year by diluting to half the minimum strength recommended
on the label of a standard house plant fertilizer.
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