When I first got into gardening, I wasn’t too interested in succulents, since they all looked the same to me. Here in California, succulents come in a great variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Since gardening here I have fallen in love with the desert rose of succulents, otherwise known as the echeveria succulent, and want to discuss echeveria varieties in this post.
The echeveria plant come in a variety of colors, sizes, and textures. They can be grown indoors or outdoors. Echeverias are beautiful in their own planter or can add texture and dimension to a multi-succulent planter.
Want to get some ideas on how to decorate your own container? Check out Outdoor Flower Pot Arrangements.
History
The echeveria succulent comes from the partial desert areas of Mexico, Texas, Central America, and the western part of South America. Now it can be seen growing in many other areas, especially California. Since being discovered by succulent lovers, many echeveria hybrids have been made.
I have been slowly adding different types of echeverias to my container garden. I say slowly since it can be addicting! If you enjoy echeverias and are looking to add more succulents to your garden, please check out Types of Succulent Plants.
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Fun Facts
Here are some facts about the echeveria succulent.
- There are about 100 different species of echeveria.
- This desert rose was named after Atanasio Echevarria, an artist from Mexico.
- Hens and chicks is another common name for echeveria since they can grow in bunches.
- The echeveria flower is beautiful to behold. They can produce blooms in beautiful pink, yellow or red little flowers in the shapes of bells.
Echeveria Types
These are just some of the varieties of echeveria available. Most can grow very large. I usually get mine in smaller sizes, since those cost less and I enjoy seeing my plants grow.
Black Knight – These echeverias range from dark green to almost black, hence their name. Many are a light green on the inside, their leaves darkening on the outside. If you are looking for a darker succulent to add to a planter you are designing, add a dark knight.
Round Leaf – Round Leaves come in green, blue and gray and have thick leaves that are shaped like tear-drops.
Echeveria Afterglow – This variety of echeveria caught my eye at a nearby Armstrong because they seemed to glow in the sun. The leaves of the echeveria afterglow are a beautiful lavender pink that glow in certain light. The echeveria flower on this plant are beautiful orange-red flowers.
Fire and Ice-This beautiful echeveria has light green leaves with brown on the edges. Don’t keep it out in too hot or cold conditions. Round leaves grow out to two feet wide and need full sun. They look great in a container with a variety of echeveria or other succulents.
Variegata – Variegata or variegated echeveria have dark green stripes down the middle of thick light green to yellow leaves. The uniquely colored echeveria come in several varieties with beautiful stripes.
Morning Beauty – This echeveria variety is small, growing only to four inches wide. The light green leaves are edged with light pink. These can thrive in partial sun.
Metallica – Metallica echeveria grow beautiful silver-blue leaves with a sharp point. Grow well on their own or in a cluster with other plants.
Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg – The leaves on this echeveria are very thick. Echeveria perle von nurnberg need full sun and can grow up to two feet wide. Would make a great addition to any garden.
Painted Echeveria – These uniquely colored echeverias have red stripes in the middle and on the outside of light green leaves. The stems can grow up to two feet high with five inch wide rosettes. Native to central Mexico.
Echeveria Blue Rose – Blue Rose echeveria are native to Mexico. Their rosettes are grey-green and grow up to eight inches across. Their red and yellow flowers bloom in spring and early summer.
Echeveria Black Prince – Another black echeveria variety. The black rosettes can grow up to 9 inches across. The salmon-red flowers of the echeveria black prince bloom in fall and winter.
I’ve been to a variety of gardening stores, and each has their own collections of echeveria types. I love going to Home Depot due to their variety of plants and great prices but go to Armstrong Garden Centers for their unique collection of succulents. There are also many places online to purchase echeveria.
Care
The echeveria plant can grow in many places. Check the plant growing zone you live in if you are not sure if you can grow echeverias in your area.
An echeveria can grow in its own container or with other plants. These low maintenance plants are also great to add to rock gardens.
Echeverias need well-draining soil since they don’t require a lot of water and you don’t want to drown them. There are a variety of cactus and succulent planter soil that you can use.
Echeveria can grow in full sun or partial shade. My balcony is almost completely in shadow during this time of the year and my echeverias are doing fine.
Another thing I love about these desert plants is that you can forget to water them and they will stay alive. They need very little water. One reason these water-wise plants are so popular here in Southern California is that they are drought tolerant plants and thrive where water is scarce.
Propagation
With proper planning and care, you can grow your own echeveria by propagating the leaves. Cut the leaves as close to the stem as possible. New plants can grow from poor cuttings, but the closer you cut the leaf from the stem, the better chance you have of growing a new echeveria.
I recommend removing several leaves in case some don’t grow. Put the cut leaves in a place where they can dry out. Put the leaves on top of soil sideways, or place the cut end of the leaf in the soil.
Keep the propagated leaves in indirect sunlight and spray or lightly water a few times a week. You can get rid of the leaf once it dries up and the new echeveria is about an inch tall. Place in its new container and enjoy your new echeveria!
You can also grow new plants through stem cuttings, a branch or offshoot. Make sure these cuttings are carefully cut and placed in their own containers.
Echeveria Varieties
If you don’t have any echeveria types in your garden and they thrive well in your climate, I highly recommend getting one of these Echeveria varieties. That one may end up becoming the beginning of a collection of these beautiful succulents.
Is there a type of echeveria plant you have that is not on my list? Or have something to add to this post about the echeveria plant? Let me know in the comments section below.
Happy gardening and for those of you in cold climates stay warm!
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