The Echeveria has long been one of the popular ornamental plants in our living rooms. It is represented in numerous species that differ significantly from each other in leaf shape, flowers, flowering time and growth habit. A particularly popular species is Echeveria agavoides.
Which Echeveria species are best known?
Some well-known Echeveria species are Echeveria agavoides, Echeveria elegans, Echeveria derenbergii, Echeveria leucotricha, Echeveria gibbiflora, Echeveria harmsii and Echeveria pulvinata. They vary in growth habit, size, color and time of flowering, are slightly poisonous and not hardy.
The origin of echeverias
How many species of Echeveria there are in total is not known. The thick-leaf plant is represented in so many variations that the classification is not always easy for the layperson.
Most species of Echeveria are native to Mexico. Other locations include Texas and southern Peru.
Differences between species
The variety of echeverias is great. The plants differ not only in size and growth habit. The shape of the leaves and flowers also varies greatly depending on the species. Most of them not only form one rosette, but also consist of several rosettes that can be separated for propagation.
Echeveria is slightly poisonous and not hardy
All types of Echeveria are slightly poisonous. The toxins are contained in the plant sap and can cause inflammatory skin reactions.
As a succulent that stores water in its leaves, Echeveria is not hardy. The temperatures at the location may drop to a maximum of five degrees. In winter the Echeveria needs a longer rest period, during which it is kept cool but very bright.
Known species of Echeveria
| botan. Name | Growth habit | Size | color | Bloom | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Echeveria agavoides | Rosette shape | up to 12 cm diameter | green | orange-red/yellowish | reddish leaf edges |
| Echeveria elegans | Rosette shape | up to 10 cm diameter | light blue-green | pink, yellow | transparent leaf edges |
| Echeveria derenbergii | spherical rosettes on trunk | up to 17 cm diameter | teal | orange red | blooms in late summer |
| Echeveria leucotricha | half-shrub | up to 12 cm diameter | light green | red | very thick-fleshed |
| Echeveria gibbiflora | half-shrub | up to 10 cm diameter | greygreen | light red | very rare |
| Echeveria harmsii | half-shrub | loose rosettes | medium green | scarlet / yellow | single flowers |
| Echeveria pulvinata | Half trunk | loose rosettes | white hairy | scarlet | bald below |
Tip
The Echeveria is a fairly easy-care plant that forgives small care mistakes. It is important that it is not watered too frequently or heavily.