Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Echeveria colorata, more commonly known as the echeveria mexican giant, is a succulent plant native to Mexico and southern California, United States. It has become an extremely popular houseplant due to its vibrant colors and ability to thrive in many environments.
Echeveria plants are often seen in reds, oranges, pinks, purples, and yellow-greens, though less common varieties can be found with white, purple, or even marbled leaves.
Echeveria colorata, or Echeveria Mexican Giant, is one of the most commonly-grown echeverias in nurseries and homes throughout the world because of its quick growth and ease of care.
Like many other echeverias, Echeveria Mexican Giant can be propagated through cuttings or seeds and thrives best in soil with excellent drainage and sun exposure, but it isn’t without its quirks!
Echeveria colorata is an echeveria that can grow up to 12 inches wide and tall, with rosettes as large as 4 inches across by 6 inches tall!
Echeveria Mexican Giant was one of the parent plants used in the hybridization process that resulted in the modern hybrid Echeveria ‘Perle von Nürnberg’, so you may know this plant by its common name ‘Perle von Nürnberg’ as well.
Origin and distribution
Echeveria colorata is a species of flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family, native to Mexico. It is closely related to Echeveria lindsayana which was once considered a subspecies but recently elevated to full species status. The plant grows from rhizomes and forms rosettes of wide, somewhat flattened, succulent leaves with an attractive pattern of markings.
In spring it produces clusters of pinkish-white flowers on stalks up to 20 cm tall. This species has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. The specific epithet colorata means coloured or painted, referring to its patterned leaves.
Echeveria colorata will tolerate light frost (-2°C). If placed outside during the summer months, plants should be watered only when dry. Indoors they can stay year-round if given enough light and occasional waterings; however, plants should be moved to shade during summer months. Plants are easily propagated by separating offsets that appear around their base.
Echeveria colorata propagation
To propagate echeveria, take a leaf from an existing plant and place it on top of moist soil. Make sure that you have already watered your echeveria well. If it’s in a pot, make sure to repot it so that there is enough room for two plants, and don’t water it again until after you see new growth.
Don’t keep it in full sun right away. Instead, wait until you see at least 2 inches of new growth before exposing it to direct sunlight. You can also root cuttings in water or by layering stems onto other plants. As with most succulents, be careful not to overwater these plants!
Water them only when they are dry and make sure not to leave them sitting in water for long periods of time. In addition, if you notice any signs of rot or mold, cut off any affected parts immediately. These plants tend to be susceptible to pests like spider mites and mealybugs.
In addition, as mentioned above, make sure not to overwater your echeveria. Overwatering can cause rot or mold problems for these plants as well as lead to fungal infections such as powdery mildew.
Echeveria colorata care information
Echeveria lindsayana is a drought-tolerant succulent but can thrive in well-drained soil with regular water. echeveria lindsayana is susceptible to root rot if overwatered and will die if left in standing water. avoid overwatering as best you can, but if your plant does succumb to root rot, consider using it for cuttings and rooting them instead.
Light requirement
Echeveria colorata is a succulent so too much light isn’t important for survival. Echeverias do best in very bright indirect light, like that produced by florescent bulbs or south-facing windows, but they can also tolerate low light.
In low light, however, growth will be slower and plant may not flower as quickly. Echeverias are adaptable to lower levels of light than other succulents such as jade plants (which require bright, direct sunlight).
Soil/potting mix
As a succulent, Echeveria colorata prefers soil that is fast-draining and does not hold water for long. The soil should also be very well-drained to prevent root rot. A good potting mix will contain at least 50% inorganic material, such as sand, pumice, or perlite.
The potting mix should be firmly packed down to avoid any spaces where water can collect and then stagnate. If your plants are planted in regular garden soil, make sure it drains well by adding lots of organic matter.
Watering
Echeveria colorata are succulents and therefore don’t require frequent watering, as they can easily store water in their leaves. Water about once a week to ensure good health for your plant. If you have particularly light soil, your plant may need more than that. Be careful not to overwater—you should be able to stick your finger into moist soil about an inch down with little resistance.
If it feels wet or soggy all the way through, then it is time to give your plant some water. When growing echeveria indoors, place them in containers with drainage holes and make sure they are watered from below rather than above so that excess moisture doesn’t collect on top of their leaves.
The best way to do this is by placing them in saucers or pots filled with pebbles; add just enough water so that it drips out of any holes.
Fertilizer
Feed your echeveria every two weeks during their growing season with a high-phosphorus fertilizer. To maximize blooming, feed with flowering plant food that is high in potassium as well. You can also use a slow-release fertilizer to provide nutrients over time. Echeverias are heavy feeders and need lots of nutrients to stay healthy and bloom.
Temperature
Echeveria colorata needs to be kept at temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, so if you live in a warm climate, there are many species of Echeveria that can survive outdoors year-round. If you live in a cold climate, it’s important to keep your Echeveria indoors.
Even when brought inside for winter, you’ll want to bring them back outside in spring. They like lots of sunlight and moderate water. They don’t like soggy soil, so make sure not to overwater them!
Humidity
Echeveria colorata is native to Mexico, where they’re found growing in tropical and sub-tropical climates. These succulents have thick leaves and stems, making them great for those who live in areas with high levels of humidity. To replicate their native habitat, place your echeveria on a half-shaded windowsill and water it well every two weeks.
The ideal humidity range is between 40 and 60 percent. If your home falls outside of that range, consider purchasing a humidifier or investing in a hygrometer to monitor your home’s relative humidity. Keep in mind that echeverias don’t do well when it comes to extreme temperatures, so keep them away from heat sources like radiators and fireplaces.
Pruning
One of the best ways to keep your Echeveria colorata in top condition is to prune it regularly. This will ensure that your plant looks its best, while also helping you prevent disease and pest infestations. To prune an echeveria, start by removing any brown or withered leaves on your plant’s stem, as well as any leaves near soil level.
Next, use a sharp pair of scissors to cut back damaged leaves and stems. Finally, remove any dead roots using a sharp knife. Make sure to sterilize your tools before cutting into healthy roots!
When to repot
Because these types of succulents are slow-growing, you don’t need to repot them for a few years after purchase. However, when you do repot, look for a pot just one size larger than your current container. Ensure that any new container has holes in its bottom to prevent overwatering and root rot.
The best time to repot is during spring or summer, but you can also repot echeverias in fall or winter. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold outside; as long as they have proper light, temperature and humidity levels, echeverias will thrive no matter what time of year it is.
Dormancy
Overwintering your Echeveria colorata is easy! Simply place it in a room that doesn’t get any direct sunlight and isn’t too cold. Never allow it to freeze or sit in water, but also don’t let it get too hot. The perfect temperature for an echeveria during dormancy is between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
This can be achieved using an under-the-bed box or even a plastic storage container with holes cut out for ventilation. Don’t forget to keep your plant well watered while it is dormant—but do not overwater! Water when the soil feels dry about one inch down.
If you follow these steps, you should have no problem getting your echeveria through winter unscathed. Enjoy watching it grow again next spring!
Echeveria colorata flower & fragrance
The only thing that can be more beautiful than Echeveria colorata’s bright red and orange flowers is its amazing aroma. It gives off a sweet fragrance that can fill an entire room!
The intensity of fragrance varies based on climate, growing conditions, and care. In optimal conditions, it produces a very strong fragrance. But even if your plant doesn’t produce much of a scent, it will still give you stunning floral displays in your home or office for months to come.
Growth rate
These plants have a moderate growth rate. You should repot every 2 years to maintain a healthy root system. If you’re buying as a houseplant, choose one that already has growing roots rather than one in a flowering pot. If you are repotting because your plant is overpotted, use soil mix with perlite or tree-fern fiber for added drainage and aeration.
Toxicity
Echeveria colorata is among one of the least toxic plants on earth. In fact, there have been very few documented cases of animal toxicity from echeverias. Even if an animal were to ingest some parts of an echeveria, they are most likely to vomit or pass through with no issue at all.
USDA hardiness zones
Echeveria colorata thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10b through 11. In areas with cold winters, it’s best to grow echeveria colorata as a houseplant. When growing echeveria colorata outdoors, place it in a spot that receives full sun and has well-draining soil.
Pests and diseases
One of the hardest things about growing Echeveria colorata is dealing with pests and diseases. These plants are very susceptible to mealybugs, which can cause damage quickly if left untreated. The same applies to spider mites and whitefly, which will suck sap from a plant and weaken it significantly. Echeverias are also prone to root rot, so make sure they have plenty of space in their pots and free air circulation around them at all times.
Conclusion
Echeveria colorata are a very popular houseplant and are fairly easy to care for. They do best in bright, indirect sunlight, so a south-facing window is perfect. They can be grown from seed as well as cuttings but, while they can tolerate some drought conditions, they like to have plenty of water when they’re growing.
Make sure you fertilize with a cactus fertilizer at least once every month and add some time-release granules to keep your echeverias beautiful.
