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Echeveria elegans

Mexican snow ball

A succulent perennial forming a clump of evergreen rosettes of spoon-shaped, whitish-green leaves and one-sided racemes of lantern-shaped pink flowers, tipped with yellow, in late winter and spring

Other common names
Mexican gem
white Mexican rose
Synonyms
Echeveria potosina
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Yellow Green Grey Silver
Summer Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter Pink Yellow Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
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 peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth; not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season. See Echeveria and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

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

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

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and vine weevils

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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