Echeveria

( ek - ev - VEER - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of succulent perennial plants need full sun or partial shade and moderate water. They are native to Mexico, and form rosettes of fleshy leaves marked with deeper colors. Flowers come in shades of pink, red, orange, or yellow, and these plants are great for rock gardens, containers, and pots. 

Echeveria Species and Varietals

There are approximately 180 species of Echeveria, and many hybrid varieties. The best growing zones for Echeveria vary depending on the species; see the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Echeveria agavoides
This species grows best in zones 8, 9 and 12-24, and forms 6-8 inch rosettes of firm, pointed bright green leaves. They are often marked with deep red-brown at the tips and edges of foliage. Stalks 1.5 feet tall produce flowers in red-and-yellow flowers. Varieties include 'Lipstick' (pictured; with bright green, red-edged leaves) and 'Maria' (to 12 inches wide with green leaves edged and tipped with red).

Echeveria elegans (Hen and Chicks)
This species grows best in zones 8, 9 and 12-24, and forms tight 4-inch rosettes and spreads freely by offsets. Flowers are pink and lined with yellow. Useful for edges and containers. Can burn in summer sun, so they need some protection during this season.
Echeveria hybrids
These plants grow best in zones 8, 9 and 12-24. They commonly have large, loose rosettes that form on single or branched stems and leaves come in a variety of colors, variegation, and sizes. They do well in pots as well as in open ground (in mild-summer areas). Popular selections are outlined below.
'Afterglow'
Pink-lavender chalky leaves are edged in bright pink.
'Arlie Wright'
Has large, open rosettes with wavy pink-ish leaves. 
'Big Red'
Leaves are triangular that are green and edged in red, turning rose-red at the tips. 
'Black Prince'
Small variety, to 3 inches wide with dark red-purple foliage. 
'Blue Curls'
Edges are frilly, leaves are blue-green and get pink-ish in cooler weather. 
'Domingo'
Powder-blue leaves. 
'Lola'
Mauve to silver-pink foliage about 4 inches wide. 
'Perle von Nurnberg'
Lavender-blue, pearly foliage.
'Doris Taylor'
Compact variety, with hairy leaves. Nodding flowers are showy, and come in red and yellow.
'Pulv-oliver' ('Red Edge')
This variety has fuzzy leaves tipped with red and gets 12 inches tall. 
'Imbricata' (E. x imbricata)
4-6 inch rosettes form from gray-green leaves. Flowers are orange-red. Sets chicks freely and is commonly seen in gardens.

Echeveria nodulosa (Painted Echeveria)
This species of Echeveria grows best in zones 8, 9 and 13-24, and has a branching habit forming multiple rosettes 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. Leaves are ribbed underneath and marked with red on margins and in the middle of leaves. Flowers bloom in summer, are light yellow and marked with red, like the leaves. Performs best in partial shade in hotter summer climates.

Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'
Grows best in zones 8, 9 and 14-24. Forms rosettes 1 foot tall and wide. Leaves are silver-blue and point back towards the center of the rosette. Flowers are orange and yellow, and appear from late summer through fall.

Echeveria secunda (Hen and Chicks)
Grows in zones 8, 9 and 14-24. Forms grey-green or blue-green rosettes that are about 4 inches across. Offsets freely. Variety Echeveria secunda glauca (Echeveria glauca) has leaves that are edged with purple-red, and the blue-green rosettes are also tinged purple).

Echeveria setosa
Grows best in zones 17, 23 and 24, and forms 4-inch wide rosettes that are dark green, covered with white hairs. Flowers are red and tipped with yellow. Great for rock gardens or shallow containers. This is a very delicate, tender Echeveria.

​Echeveria subrigida 'Fire and Ice'
This species grows in zones 8, 9 and 14-24, and gets 9-12 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide. Leaves are light bluish-green and are edged in dark pink. Flowers are coral pink and orange, and bloom from late spring to summer.

Caring for Echeveria

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 295 - 296, Echeveria
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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