Last updated on September 9th, 2023 at 02:13 am
Echeveria affinis is a species of echeveria that’s native to the region spanning from Baja California to Sonora. It has large, succulent leaves with attractive markings and colors that are typically shades of green or red. The echeverias are very popular house plants because they’re easy to grow indoors and require little maintenance. They come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors which make them great for any type of interior design style!
Echeveria affinis is a beautiful echeveria succulent with an interesting and varied past. These echeverias grow in clumps of rosettes, and are typically found in the wild near the Andes Mountains in Ecuador. They’ve also been cultivated outside of their native habitat for centuries. The echeveria affinis has many uses, including being used as cut flowers or dried specimens. Let’s take a closer look at this plant to learn more about its attributes!
Origin and description
Echeveria affinis is a species of flowering plant in the succulent genus Echeveria, native to Mexico. It was described by Friedrich Gerhard Rohwer and published in 1853; it acquired its current name in 1904 when Alfred Cogniaux renamed it as part of his revision of the genus.
Echeveria affinis is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Crassulaceae that is often confused with Echeveria colorata.
Echeveria affinis originates from Mexico and is related to Echeveria derenbergii . They are both rosulate succulents with fleshy, oblong leaves arranged in a symmetric basal rosette.
“Echeveria affinis” is a perennial plant with stems up to long, bearing rosettes of leaves around across. The leaves are green or blue-green with a single white stripe running along the length of each one and have smooth margins which curve upwards slightly. The flowers are born on branched racemes about long and are reddish-pink with petals up to long; they appear from spring to summer.
Echeveria affinis is native to Mexico, where it occurs in the states of Puebla and Oaxaca at altitudes. It grows on limestone cliffs and slopes among scrub vegetation such as agave (“Agave” spp.).
Echeveria affinis is a popular garden plant, grown for its attractive rosettes of leaves and red flowers in spring. It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. In temperate regions, it must be grown under glass with heat, as it does not tolerate cold well. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Echeveria affinis propagation
Propagating Echeveria affinis is easy. Remove offsets from the mother plant and pot them up in a succulent soil mixture, making sure to cover them completely for the protection of the young roots. Water thoroughly after planting out. Once established, they are hardy plants not requiring much care or attention beyond ensuring good drainage by growing on rocky slopes or in raised beds. Exposure to the sun from summer through autumn is good for the plants as they need light shade during their winter dormant period.
Echeveria affinis care
Echeveria affinis is not difficult to care for. It requires well-draining soil and lots of sun, with protection from extreme heat or cold. Watering should be done sparingly in the winter months, allowing them to go dry between waterings once per month. During the summer, Echeverias may need more frequent watering. When the plant is watered, water should be run all the way through to make sure it drains properly and excess can drain out of its bottom hole.
Echeverias are known for their drought tolerance, they store water in their leaves but will often wilt if left too long without watering or exposed to moist conditions.
Light requirements
Echeveria like bright light but not direct sunlight. They need strong, filtered sun for half the day. If your echeveria is in areas of low light, they will grow slowly and only produce small rosettes that are weak and unattractive. Echeverias do well outdoors with hot summer days (85 degrees F) where they can grow and produce offset in full sun.
Soil/potting mix
Echeveria affinis can be grown in coarse, well-drained soil. It tolerates sand and rock mulch very well. Soil should drain freely but hold some moisture during dry periods. Growing Echeveria affinis in clay soils will result in the plant rotting.
Echeveria affinis can be grown in a cactus mix, but it is not necessary. If you are growing Echeveria affinis in a pot with other succulent plants, use 50% regular soil mixed with 50% sharp sand or pumice to ensure good drainage.
Watering
Watering echeverias is relatively easy because they are very resilient plants that tolerate extended periods of drought. However, if you don’t water them enough, the leaves can start to curl up and look a bit shriveled. Echeveria affinis has thick roots so it doesn’t usually have problems with overwatering. Water the plants once per week, letting the soil dry out completely before you water them again.
Fertilizer
Echeveria affinis requires an application of fertilizer once or twice every month. It is important to only feed the plant during its growing season, which typically takes place between spring and fall. During the winter months, it is best to reduce fertilizing frequency down to a minimum due to dormancy periods for most succulents. Fertilizer is also useful as a preventative tool to reduce the risk of echeveria leaf loss.
Temperature
Another important factor to consider for this succulent is the temperature of its environment. Echeverias are known for their tolerance in hot, arid climates and they thrive when planted outside in areas with mild winters.
Echeveria affinis can be grown indoors or outdoors but it requires bright sunlight during the growing season (spring through fall).
The optimal temperature for Echeveria Affinis is between 65 and 70 degrees.
Humidity
Echeveria affinis should be grown in a very dry atmosphere. If the humidity is above 50%, it will rot within days, leaving gooey brown mush behind.
If grown in the correct conditions, echeveria affinis will produce rosettes with reddish-purple tips and pink flowers.
Pruning
To keep an echeveria affinis looking its best, you should prune it regularly. Pruning is most often done in the springtime when new growth begins to appear at the tip of each stem. Remove dead leaves and stems using sharp shears or scissors by cutting them off near the base of the plant. Some people recommend cutting off half of the stem, while others recommend cutting it back to two or three leaves.
When to repot echeveria affinis
Echeveria affinis should be repotted every two years in the spring when new growth begins. The best time to do it is after a thorough soak of about 15 minutes, using a spoon to gently remove from its old pot and brushing off dead or crusted soil on roots with fingers or a small knife being careful not to damage them.
Then, place in a pot that has been filled with new potting soil that is neither too rich nor poor and plant the echeveria at the same depth from which it came originally. Lastly, water thoroughly until you see some drainage coming out of the bottom drain holes then let dry for about an hour before watering again.
Dormancy
Echeveria affinis is a summer dormant succulent. It goes into dormancy during the long, hot, and dry summers of its native Mexico (USDA Hardiness Zones: 11-12). During this time, leaves are yellow and fall off to conserve water. New rosettes form at the base of the plant while it is dormant.
Dormancy usually begins in late summer or early fall, when conditions become cooler and more humid. During this time, water only enough to keep the leaves from shriveling. Water whenever the soil dries out completely during dormancy.
Flowers & Fragrance
These flowers can reach up to five inches or more in diameter and last for several weeks even after the plant has been cut back substantially. Echeveria affinis blooms twice a year, during which it is treated as an annual and requires complete replanting each fall before winter sets in.
The flowers of this plant are variable in color but usually, appear as a darker shade than the foliage. Echeveria affinis has brilliant red blossoms which can stand out beautifully against its deep green leaves.
The blooms typically emerge around January through March and last for about one month. This plant is best known for its fragrance, which it releases during the night. The scent has been described as similar to jasmine or orange blossoms and can be quite strong in some instances.
The aroma of the flowers helps attract nocturnal moths that act as pollinators. While many types of echeveria release a similar scent during the night, this species is one of the more potent examples.
The fragrance produced by echeveria affinis makes it an excellent choice for cultivation indoors or within a greenhouse setting where pollinators are not present. The plant will be able to release its aroma without worrying about attracting unwanted pests that might feed on it or lay their eggs upon the flowers.
Growth rate
Echeveria affinis grows at a rate of 0.08 to 0.20 inches (0.40 cm) per week and prefers slightly acidic soil.
This Echeveria can grow up to 12 inches tall in optimal conditions, although it is usually smaller than that when grown indoors in colder climates.
The Echeveria affinis can be found in various colors, including reds and pinks. This succulent plant is also often sought-after for its stunning flowers that bloom on tall stalks above the foliage. The blooms are orange or yellow with a darker center stripe; they resemble daisies due to their petal shape.
Toxicity
Now that we have a better understanding of the echeveria affinis, it’s important to know about its toxicity. Most people don’t realize that there are many poisonous plants and flowers out there. In fact, some can be deadly if ingested by humans or our pets! This is not something you want growing in your garden.
Echeveria affinis is not deadly, but it can make you quite ill if consumed by humans or animals. The most common symptoms include stomach and digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting for a day or two.
Hardiness zones
The echeveria affinis is hardy to zone 11 – 12. This means that the plant can survive in temperatures as low as −20°F (or colder).
Pests and diseases
This succulent plant is not as susceptible to pests and diseases as other plants. However, it can still suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soil or excessive amounts of water are applied during its growing season.
Conclusion
The echeveria affinis is a beautiful succulent plant that can be grown indoors. It has different colors and shapes and requires very little maintenance, making it the perfect addition to any home or garden!
