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Cactus SucculentHouseplants

Echeveria desmetiana

A perennial succulent, forming a low, dense rosette up to 20cm across, with fleshy, grey-green leaves that flush blue and purple in strong light. Flowers are small and fluted, red on the outsides and golden yellow inside, and are held on tall, unbranching stems in summer

Synonyms
Echeveria subsessilis
Echeveria peacockii
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Grey Silver Blue
Summer Red Yellow Green Grey Silver Blue
Autumn Green Grey Silver Blue
Winter Green Grey Silver Blue
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Echeveria can be evergreen succulent perennials or subshrubs with rosettes of colourful, fleshy leaves and racemes or panicles of urn-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a free-draining potting mix suitable for cacti and succulents. Water moderately when in growth and do not allow to sit in water; no need to water at all during the winter dormant season. To keep this plant over winter it must be protected from frost. See Echeveria and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by stem or leaf cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

Remove dead leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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