Echeveria is one of the many succulents and perennial species, appreciated for its beautiful appearance and used mainly as an ornamental plant. It comes from Mexico and loves to be in a wide variety of climates. This variety currently has more than 350 species, all from the Mexican region. Learn all about the propagation of Echeveria in this article.
The Echeveria is characterized by being a small-sized plant, crass and stemless. It usually forms rosettes of only 3” (8 cm) in diameter, depending on the species. It has fleshy leaves of a characteristic bluish color; however, it can vary between colors such as bluish-gray, pinkish green, and deep green.
The ideal time for these plants to bloom in late winter and late spring. They develop flower clusters of approximately 4” (10 cm) that always lean to one side.
Table of Contents
Propagation of Echeveria – Requirements
Before explaining everything about the propagation of Echeveria, we will inform you about its needs.
- Planting in full sunlight is recommended.
- Ideal for planting in spring.
- Loves well-drained substrates and does not need too many nutrients.
- It does not need very constant watering. In spring and summer, it will need only 2 times per week.
- It does not develop many diseases, but it is necessary to be attentive in case mites, fungi or mealybugs appear.
Propagation of Echeveria
If you have decided to plant a potted Echeveria, make sure that the size is not too exaggerated. The more compact it is, the better. As it will ensure that the soil does not remain moist and damage the plant.
The best species of this plant for pots are glauca, setosa, derenbergii, agavoides and laui. And you can plant it as you wish, seeds, cuttings, or sprouts. However, if you use seeds, you will not know what kind of Echeveria you are planting. Also, due to genetic variability, the plant will not come out the same as the mother plant, so it is recommended to follow the other propagation techniques.
Learn more about Echeveria Hybrid Perle Von Nurnberg.
How to Propagate Echeveria by Sprouts
Follow these steps for the propagation of Echeveria by sprouts:
1- Cut with a special gardening tool, one of the shoots that grow right at the base of the adult mother plant, when they are about 2” (5 cm) long. OFFER Gardening tools (Order it here).
2- Leave the sprout in a protected place for a week so that the wound heals properly. You should also apply cinnamon powder to the wound.
3- Prepare your pot with a mixture of equal parts peat and fine sand and plant it directly. Keep the Echeveria in a place where it can have access to good light, but not direct sunlight.
4- Water once a week, but not excessively. Dip a finger into the substrate to check that the substrate is dry.
5- When the young shoots emerge, they will be adult Echeveria and will need different care.
How to Grow Echeveria from Cuttings
Follow these steps for the propagation of Echeveria by cuttings:
1- Carefully remove the leaf cuttings from the plant, pulling it as close to the stem as possible by hand.
2- Plant the basal part of the leaf directly, in a pot with soil composed of equal parts sand and peat. Soil for Succulents (Order it here).
3- Place it in a place with abundant light, but not direct sunlight, and that is maintained between 59°F and 64°F (15 °C and 18 °C).
4- Keep the substrate moist, but do not let it become waterlogged.
5- When the first shoots begin to emerge, it should be transplanted to another pot where it will grow as an adult.
6- Treat it as an adult plant after transplanting.
How to Grow Echeveria by Seeds
We recommend these quality seeds (Order them here). Follow these steps for the propagation of Echeveria by seeds.
1- Prepare a substrate with fine sand and substrate for succulent seeds in equal parts. And distribute them properly. Soil for Succulents (Order it here).
2- The pot should not be too large. And always leave a space of 0.8” (2 cm) between the edge of the pot and the soil.
3- Submerge the pot completely in water until it is soaked and completely remove the excess.
4- Start spreading and arranging the seeds in the substrate without burying them.
5- Cover the pot with a layer of plastic wrap to maintain the temperature and place it in the shade. The ideal temperature is 55°F to 64°F (13° to 18 °C). Wait for germination.
6- Once the first shoots begin to appear, remove the plastic.
7- Transplant the sprouts to their final location, and wait until the plants are big enough to start handling them.
