40 saves
Echeveria
We track 12 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 10 most-saved Echeveria varieties
Browse all 12 Echeveria varieties →
4 species of Echeveria
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Echeveria in Sow
Save the Echeveria you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Echeveria
Whats common across all Echeveria varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them.
The Echeveria year
- FertilizeApril–July83% of varieties
Use diluted low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly during active growth
- PropagateApril–June67% of varieties
Separate offsets ('chicks') from the mother plant
- Winter PrepSeptember and October67% of varieties
Move container plants indoors before temperatures drop below 40°F
- Check for PestsApril–August50% of varieties
Check for mealybugs at the base of the leaves.
- PlantApril and May42% of varieties
Plant outdoors in containers or rock gardens after danger of frost
Do
- Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
- Give it full sun for compact rosettes ☀️
- Water only when soil is completely dry 🌱
- Water only when soil is completely dry 💧
- Rotate plant regularly for even sun exposure
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering; succulents are drought-tolerant ❌
- Do not expose to frost or freezing temperatures
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Water into the centre ❌
What goes wrong with Echeveria
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White cottony clusters between the leaves and around the roots | Dab with alcohol on a cotton bud and check the rootball when repotting; they hide below soil level |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted new growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Vine weevil | Rosettes loosen and topple as grubs eat the roots away below ground | Check the compost when repotting and use biological controls while the soil is warm |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Root rot | Soft, blackened roots and wilting | Reduce watering, improve drainage, and remove affected roots |
| Crown and root rot | The centre of the rosette blackens and collapses after water sits in the leaves or compost stays wet | Water into the soil only and use gritty compost; remove affected rosettes before rot spreads to offsets |
| Root Rot | Soft, blackened roots and wilting plant | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Echeveria
Offsets
- Pull away a rooted offset from the parent clump.
- Let the wound dry for a day.
- Pot into gritty compost and water lightly after a week.
Leaf cuttings
- Twist off a whole leaf cleanly at the base.
- Lay it on dry gritty compost.
- Water sparingly once roots and a plantlet appear.
Echeveria questions
How many types of Echeveria are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Echeveria varieties. The most popular — ranked by 40 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Echeveria grow in?
Across its varieties, Echeveria covers USDA Zones 9–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Echeveria bloom?
Most Echeveria varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Echeveria should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.