Echeveria

Echeveria elegans

Mexican Snowball

Echeveria elegans is a rosette-forming succulent subshrub from arid regions of Mexico, where it stores water in its fleshy leaves and endures long dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright light with some direct sun; water deeply only when the mix has dried out completely, and let the leaves rather than a calendar guide you. Sitting in damp soil causes rot, so err on the dry side.

Echeveria agavoides

Molded-wax

A succulent subshrub from arid northeastern and southwestern Mexico, storing water in tight rosettes of thick, pointed leaves. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and bright direct light; water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, every 2 to 4 weeks, as it rots quickly if left wet.

Echeveria pulvinata

Chenilleplant

A succulent subshrub from the arid highlands of central and southwestern Mexico, with plump, fuzzy leaves that store water against drought. It wants bright light and gritty, fast-draining mix, and rots if left sitting wet. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried fully through the pot — when the lower leaves feel slightly soft is a safe cue to water.

Echeveria pulidonis

Pulido's Echeveria

Echeveria pulidonis is a rosette-forming succulent subshrub from the arid uplands of central and northeastern Mexico, where it stores water in its fleshy leaves and tolerates long dry spells. It wants a gritty, fast-draining mix and several hours of bright direct sun to keep its compact form. Water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely and the lowest leaves feel slightly soft, then let it dry again — it rots far more easily than it shrivels.

Echeveria lilacina

Ghost Echeveria

Echeveria lilacina is a rosette-forming succulent subshrub from the arid highlands of northeastern Mexico, so it stores water in its leaves and rots if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright direct light, and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely. Wait until the lower leaves feel slightly soft or the top of the mix is bone-dry several inches down before watering again.

Echeveria runyonii

Runyon's Echeveria

A rosette-forming succulent subshrub from arid northeastern Mexico, this plant stores water in its fleshy leaves and rots if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and give it the brightest spot you have, including several hours of direct sun. Water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely, when the lower leaves feel slightly soft rather than firm.

Echeveria secunda

Blue Echeveria

A rosette-forming succulent subshrub native to the arid highlands of Mexico, where it stores water in its fleshy leaves and tolerates long dry spells. It wants bright direct light and gritty, fast-draining mix; water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, and let it approach dry again before the next watering. Sitting in damp mix will rot the roots and crown, so err toward keeping it too dry rather than too wet.

Echeveria gibbiflora

Hens and Chicks

Echeveria gibbiflora is a succulent subshrub native to the arid uplands of central and northern Mexico, storing water in its fleshy rosette leaves and resenting wet roots. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest spot you have, ideally several hours of direct sun. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely and the lower leaves feel slightly soft — when in doubt, wait.

Echeveria setosa

Firecracker Plant

A rosette-forming succulent subshrub from the arid uplands of central and southwestern Mexico, storing water in its dense, hairy leaves. It wants bright direct sun, gritty fast-draining mix, and deep but infrequent watering; let the soil dry out fully and water only when the leaves begin to feel slightly soft rather than firm. Keep water off the fuzzy foliage, which traps moisture and rots easily.

Echeveria imbricata

Blue Rose Echeveria

Echeveria × imbricata is a rosette-forming succulent subshrub that stores water in its fleshy leaves and rots easily if kept wet. Give it bright, direct light and a gritty, fast-draining mix, and water only when the soil has dried completely through — when the top several centimeters are dry and the lower leaves feel firm rather than plump. It tolerates dry indoor air well and needs no added humidity.

Echeveria simulans

Echeveria Simulans

Echeveria simulans is a rosette-forming succulent subshrub native to arid regions of Mexico, where it stores water in its fleshy leaves and tolerates lean, fast-draining soil. Grow it in gritty, well-draining mix with several hours of direct sun, and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot. Sitting in damp mix invites rot, so err toward keeping it dry.