This article originally appeared in Garden Culture Magazine UK33 & US31.
Our obsession with houseplants continues! According to Garden Media Group’s report, Seeing 20/20, plant babies are one of the hottest gardening trends this year.
The most popular variety? Succulents, because they’re easy to grow and personalize. One of the fairest of them all is echeveria; it’s pretty little rosettes and maintenance-free characteristics make it hard to resist!
Name: Echeveria (Crassulaceae family)
Why we love it: These pretty rose-shaped succulents come in a variety of pastel colours and produce beautiful flowers. Waxy, water-storing leaves make caring for them super easy!
Growing conditions: Native to Mexico and the semi-desert regions of Central America, this houseplant is extremely drought tolerant. Never overwater; echeveria does very well through brief periods of neglect without moisture and nutrients. Place it in full sun and let the soil dry completely before watering again.
The facts: There are more than a hundred different varieties of this succulent. It’s relatively slow-growing and generally won’t get bigger than about 12 inches in height and diameter. Baby plants often appear next to the mother rosette; separate and start a new plant!
Common pests: If kept on the dry side, problems and pests are rare. However, be on the lookout for mealybug, which appears as tiny white spots on the foliage. If these pests show themselves, isolate the echeveria and wipe its leaves down with a cloth. In extreme cases, dispose of the plant.