Discover 7 expert tips for growing Echeveria succulents from Ashley Scott. Learn about soil, watering, light, and more to keep your Echeveria thriving!
Hey there, fellow plant lovers! I’m Ashley Scott, and I’ve been growing succulents for over 10 years. One of my absolute favorites is the Echeveria succulent. With their gorgeous rosette shapes and vibrant colors—like the soft pink of Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ or the cool blue of Echeveria ‘Lola’—they’re a joy to have around. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned gardener, I’m here to share my top tips for growing Echeveria succulents based on my own experiences. You’ll find everything you need to keep these beauties thriving, from soil to watering to indoor care. Let’s dive in!
Tip 1: Choose the Right Soil
The foundation of a happy Echeveria starts with the right soil. These succulents hate sitting in water, so Echeveria soil needs to drain well to prevent root rot. I learned this the hard way when I first started—I used regular potting soil, and my poor Echeveria turned into a soggy mess.
Now, I swear by a well-draining mix. You can grab a bag of commercial succulent soil, or make your own by mixing two parts potting soil with one part perlite or coarse sand. It’s super easy and works like a charm. If you’re planting in pots (which I recommend), make sure they have drainage holes—trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Want to learn more about perfect soil mixes? Check out this awesome guide on succulent soil from Succulents and Sunshine.
Tip 2: Water Wisely
Watering Echeveria can be tricky—I’ve lost a few plants to overwatering myself! These succulents store water in their plump leaves, so they don’t need much. Overdoing it is their biggest enemy.
How Often Should I Water Succulent Echeveria?
It depends on where you live and the season, but here’s my go-to method: the “soak and dry” technique. Water the soil thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes, then wait until it’s completely dry before watering again. In summer, I water mine about once a week. In cooler months, it’s more like every two or three weeks.
Stick your finger an inch into the soil—if it’s dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, hold off. Oh, and try not to get water on the leaves. I once left droplets on my Echeveria in the sun, and they got little sunburn spots—not cute!
For more watering tips, peek at my Indoor Succulent Care guide on USA Garden Hub.
Tip 3: Give Them Plenty of Light
Echeveria are sun-lovers—they come from bright, sunny places, so light is a must. Outdoors, I put mine where they get 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If it’s super hot where you are, a bit of afternoon shade keeps their leaves from frying.
Indoors, it’s a little trickier. Place them near a south-facing window for the best light. No sunny spot? No problem—I’ve used LED grow lights (6-12 inches above the plants, 12-14 hours a day) with great results. If your Echeveria starts stretching out (called etiolation), it’s begging for more light. Move it to a brighter spot ASAP.
Tip 4: Propagate from Leaves
Here’s where the fun begins! How to grow Echeveria from leaf is one of my favorite tricks. You can turn one plant into many, and it’s so satisfying. My kids even love helping with this.
Here’s how I do it:
- Gently twist off a healthy leaf from the base—get the whole thing, base and all.
- Let it sit out for a day or two until the end dries and calluses over.
- Lay it on top of some well-draining soil (same mix as Tip 1).
- Mist the soil lightly every few days—just enough to keep it damp.
- In a few weeks, you’ll see tiny roots and a baby rosette sprouting!
Once the new plant grows a bit, pop it into its own pot. For a step-by-step guide, check out my Succulent Propagation article.
Tip 5: Master Echeveria Care Indoors
Growing Echeveria indoors is totally doable with a few tweaks. I’ve got several thriving on my windowsills, and here’s what works for me:
- Light: Bright, indirect light is key—use grow lights if needed.
- Temperature: Keep them between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Avoid cold drafts or hot vents.
- Watering: Go easy—indoor soil dries slower, so check it first.
- Pests: Watch for mealybugs or spider mites. I wipe them off with a damp cloth if I spot any.
How Do You Keep Echeveria Happy Indoors?
Mimic their natural habitat: lots of light, good drainage, and not too much water. In summer, I sometimes move mine outside for a sunlight boost—they love it!
For more indoor tips, the University of Illinois Extension has some great advice.
Tip 6: Care for Echeveria in Winter
Winter can be tough on Echeveria, especially in cold climates like mine. Here’s how I keep them safe:
- Temperature: They’re okay down to 40°F (4°C), but I bring mine inside if it drops below 50°F (10°C).
- Watering: They nap in winter, so I cut back to once every 3-4 weeks.
- Light: Even indoors, they need bright light—use a sunny window or grow lights.
If you’re in a warm area, you can leave them outside—just shield them from heavy rain. Curious about Echeveria care in winter? This Gardenista article is a great read.
Tip 7: Repot When Needed
Echeveria succulent repotting isn’t something you do often, but it’s super important. I repot mine every 2-3 years or when I see these signs:
- Roots poking out of drainage holes.
- The plant tipping over from being too big.
- Soil drying out crazy fast.
Pick a pot just a bit bigger than the old one (with drainage holes!), and use fresh succulent soil. Gently shake off old soil, trim any dead roots, and settle it in. Water lightly and keep it shaded for a few days to recover.
The Royal Horticultural Society has more repotting tips if you’re curious.
Extra Goodies: More About Echeveria
Echeveria Types with Pictures
There are so many stunning varieties! A few I adore:
- Echeveria ‘Lola’: Powdery blue with pink tips.
- Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’: Gorgeous pink-purple shades.
- Echeveria ‘Black Prince’: Deep, dark leaves.
Want pics and more? See my Echeveria Varieties post.
Echeveria Succulent Benefits
Why grow them? Here’s what I love:
- Low Maintenance: Perfect for busy folks like me.
- Air Boost: They freshen up indoor air a bit.
- Chill Vibes: Tending them is my stress-reliever.
Quick Answers to Your Questions
How Can I Make My Echeveria Grow Faster?
Give them tons of light, good soil, and a little diluted succulent fertilizer in spring or summer. Patience helps too—they’re not speed demons!
Should I Cut the Flowers Off My Echeveria?
Up to you! The flowers are pretty, but they take energy. I snip mine if I want the plant to stay compact, but I leave them sometimes just for fun.
For more science-backed succulent info, visit Purdue University’s Horticulture site.
Wrapping Up
Growing Echeveria succulents has been one of my favorite gardening adventures. With these seven tips—right soil, smart watering, lots of light, leaf propagation, indoor care, winter prep, and repotting—you’re set to enjoy these beauties too. I hope my little stories and tricks help you out!
Got questions or Echeveria tales of your own? Drop a comment below—I’d love to chat. Happy planting!