Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:57 am
Echeveria black prince, also known as the black prince succulent, black hens and chicks, black succulent echeveria, or just black echeveria, is one of the most popular echeveria succulents. Its leaves are beautifully serrated and have dark blue-green foliage with just a hint of purple on its tips.
With proper care, Echeveria Black Prince (Black Prince Succulent) can become an incredible centerpiece in your garden or home decor! Learn how to take care of Echeveria Black Prince (Black Prince Succulent), and why it’s called the Black Prince succulent!
If you looking for an easy way to add beautiful foliage and texture to your home or office, then the Echeveria Black Prince (Black Prince Succulent) might be just the right plant for you!
Origin and distribution
The Echeveria black prince, also known as the black prince succulent, is native to Mexico. It’s a member of the stonecrop family and is closely related to the black echeveria and black hens and chicks. The plant gets its name from its deep purple-black leaves, which are offset by its yellow flowers.
While the plant is most commonly found in Mexico, it can also be found in parts of the United States and Canada. It prefers dry soil that has been well-drained and requires little water once established.
In cooler climates, it needs protection during the winter months. The black succulent thrives in desert conditions or on slopes where water collects after rains or at night.
Echeveria black prince propagation
Black succulents are usually propagated by offsets or pups. Pups are small replicas of the parent plant that form around the base of the main plant. To propagate black echeveria by offsets, carefully twist or cut away the offset from the main plant.
The offset will have its own root system, so be sure to include a good amount of roots when transplanting to a new pot. Water black hens and chicks well until they’ve established themselves in their new pots.
Keep them warm and in bright light and they should begin to grow quickly! You can also leave an offset on the mother plant; it may not have as much time to grow before being removed but will produce more offsets for you.
When watering your succulents keep in mind that these plants need less water than other types of plants; overwatering can cause rot which is not only harmful to your succulent but for your entire collection.
Echeveria black prince care information
The Echeveria Black Prince is a beautiful succulent that gets its name from its deep black leaves. Though it’s native to Mexico, this plant is easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of climates. Here are a few tips for caring for your Echeveria Black Prince.
Light requirement
The Echeveria Black Prince needs bright light, but not direct sunlight. The plant will do best if it receives 4-6 hours of bright, indirect light each day. If the plant does not get enough light, it will become etiolated and the leaves will lose their color.
The ideal location for the Echeveria Black Prince is south- or west-facing window. However, the plant can tolerate some shade. When grown in lower light conditions, make sure to water less often.
Soil/potting mix
When potting your black prince succulent, be sure to use a well-draining soil mix. Cactus and succulent potting mixes are readily available at most garden centers. If you can’t find one, you can make your own by mixing together equal parts sand, perlite, and peat moss.
Be sure to avoid using regular potting soil as it will retain too much water and cause your plant to rot. Instead, use something that is more porous and has better drainage like cactus or succulent potting mix.
For best results with the black prince succulent, keep the soil moist during the summer months but don’t allow it to get soggy or stay wet for extended periods of time.
Watering
These plants are drought-tolerant, so they don’t need much water. Water them about once a week, or when the soil is dry. Be careful not to overwater them, as this can cause the leaves to rot.
If the leaves start to wrinkle, that means the plant is thirsty and needs more water. When watering your succulents, be sure to avoid getting any dirt on the stem of the plant.
Instead of watering with a hose or watering can, use a clean cup or bowl with water in it and pour it over the top of the plant until water starts coming out of the bottom.
Fertilizer
Echeveria black prince is a succulent that originates from Mexico. It is a beautiful plant that features black leaves with red tips. The plant does best in bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate some shade.
Echeveria black prince is a low-maintenance plant that does not require much fertilizer. However, if you want to fertilize your plant, use a succulent fertilizer and apply it sparingly.
To water your echeveria black prince, make sure the soil has dried out before watering again. If you are using a potting mix for this succulent, make sure it drains well. For example, the cactus potting mix will do the trick!
Temperature
The temperature for the black prince succulent should be between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too cold, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off.
If the temperature is too hot, the leaves will start to turn yellow and fall off. The ideal temperature for this plant is 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Echeveria black prince is a succulent that thrives in high humidity. If you live in an area with low humidity, you can still grow this plant by taking some precautions.
Make sure to plant your black prince succulent in a well-draining pot. Water your plant regularly, but be sure not to overwater it.
Also, mist your plant daily or place it on a pebble tray filled with water, and provide your plant with bright, indirect sunlight.
The ideal humidity range is 40% to 60%. Higher than 60% will cause the leaves of the echeveria black prince to curl up and become wrinkled. Lower than 40% will cause the leaves of the echeveria black prince to droop and turn brown as they lose their turgor pressure.
Pruning
Echeveria black prince, or black prince succulent, is a beautiful plant that can add some color and life to any room. However, like all plants, it needs some care and attention.
Pruning is one of the most important things you can do for your black prince succulent. Here are a few tips on how to prune your plant – Check whether there are any brown spots on the leaves. If so, they may be infected with botrytis. Cut off those parts right away!
- When you cut off leaves, try not to cut them flush with the stem or root ball as this could lead to rot later down the line.
- As time goes by and your echeveria starts growing too large for its pot, repotting is necessary if the roots have become entangled in rocks or soil. Remove the plant from its pot, and then use a sharp spade to divide it into sections at their natural separation points. Pot each division in a new container using a well-draining mix of fresh cactus mix or coarse sand mixed with peat moss and perlite.
- The trickiest part about caring for your black prince succulent is getting rid of the yellowing leaves that often grow near the base of the stem. You need to clip these areas off close to the main body of the plant.
- It’s also important not to overwater your black prince succulent and don’t leave it in stagnant water for long periods of time as this will cause it to rot easily. Once every month or two, put clean water into a saucer and set it underneath your echeveria. Allow the water level to get low before adding more water again.
When to repot
Spring is the best time to repot your black prince succulent. The plant will be actively growing at this time, so it will be able to adjust to its new pot and soil more easily.
Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one, as succulents prefer to be slightly pot-bound. Use a well-draining potting mix, such as one made specifically for cacti and succulents.
Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Fill the pot with an inch or two of gravel before adding your soil mix. Add two inches of potting mix on top of the gravel layer, then place your black prince into the center of it.
You may need to make sure you’ve removed any excess roots before placing it in its new home.
Dormancy/Winter rest
Echeveria black prince, like most succulents, goes dormant in winter. This means that it will stop growing and its leaves will begin to fall off. The plant will also require less water during this time.
Dormancy is a natural process that helps the plant conserve energy and survive in harsh conditions. When the weather warms up in spring, the plant will begin to grow again.
It’s important not to water your echeveria too much during dormancy because overwatering can cause rot. Also, if you notice any yellowing on the leaves or stems of your plant, cut back on watering for awhile as this may be a sign of overwatering or nutrient deficiency.
If your plant has been damaged by frost or other causes, don’t worry! All you need to do is trim away the damaged parts and then replant them in new soil with great drainage.
Echeveria black prince flower & fragrance
The flowers of the black prince succulent are small. They have a light, sweet fragrance that is similar to jasmine. The blooms appear in late spring and early summer and last for about two weeks.
Growth rate
The growth rate of the Echeveria Black Prince is quite slow. In fact, it can take up to two years for this succulent to reach its full potential. However, once it reaches maturity, the Black Prince is a beautiful and low-maintenance plant that is perfect for any home or office.
If you are patient and have a green thumb, then the Echeveria Black Prince is definitely the plant for you!
Toxicity
The Echeveria Black Prince is not considered toxic, but it is important to be aware of any potential allergies before handling or consuming any plant. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to the sap of some succulents.
If you experience any irritation after coming into contact with a succulent, wash the area with soap and water immediately.
USDA hardiness zones
Echeveria black prince thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. If you live outside of these zones, it is not the best choice for you and would be better to purchase an echeveria that grows well in your region.
Pests and diseases
The Echeveria Black Prince is susceptible to mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. These pests can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and eventually drop off. The best way to combat pests is to regularly inspect your plant and remove any pests you see.
If the infestation is severe, you may need to use an insecticide. Diseases that can affect the Echeveria Black Prince include root rot and powdery mildew. Root rot begins when too much water saturates the soil around the roots of the plant.
A common symptom of root rot is a wilted plant with a brown discoloration on the top surface of its soil. Powdery mildew appears as a white or gray fungus on leaf surfaces, stems, and other above-ground parts of plants.
The fungus will spread quickly if left untreated, so be sure to apply fungicide every 10 days until it disappears completely.
