Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Echeveria neon breakers are succulent plants that thrive in low-light environments and make excellent additions to homes with indoor gardens or as patio decorations. They’re attractive, easy to care for, and can brighten up any dull corner of your home.
The Echeveria Neon Breakers is a Renee O’Donnell hybrid, the result of crossing the succulent Pink Frills with an unknown parent.
If you’re looking to add an easy-to-care-for plant to your collection, try Echeveria neon breakers (Echeveria runyonii ‘Neon Breakers’). Native to Mexico, this popular succulent comes in several colors, including green, blue and purple. Because of its wide availability and moderate care requirements, it’s one of the best beginner succulents you can buy.
Echeveria Neon Breakers are succulent plants that make perfect indoor houseplants and office decor, as well as great gifts to bring to your next potluck or to brighten up your coworker’s desk!
Here’s everything you need to know about how to care for echeveria neon breakers, from watering and lighting requirements to tips on how to create the best conditions and prevent pests!
Origin and distribution
Echeveria neon breakers is a genus of flowering plants in the Crassulaceae family. This genus contains around 70 species, which are native to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
Most of these species are commonly known as Hens and Chicks due to their characteristic growth pattern. These rosette-forming plants grow well in dry and rocky places, often forming large colonies on cliffsides or in limestone crevices.
The name Echeveria was given by Charles Plumier, who named it after his friend Michel de Montaigne’s mother, Francisca Rodriguez de Montaigne. The name means good health in Latin (echevere = good health).
Echeveria neon breakers propagation
Echeveria neon breakers, like most succulents, can be propagated in a variety of ways. The most common method is cuttings. When you propagate an echeveria from cuttings, you want to remove sections of the plant that have several nodes. Each node will grow into its own plant, so it’s important to select sections with lots of them!
Once you’ve selected your cutting, use a clean razor blade or sharp knife to make your cut. Then simply place your cutting in water and wait for roots to form before transplanting it into the soil. You may also propagate by dividing existing plants.
Simply dig up your echeveria and divide it into smaller pieces using a sharp knife or shovel. Replant each section into fresh soil, then keep watering regularly until new growth appears.
You may also take leaf-bud cuttings, which are similar to stem-bud cuttings except they are taken from leaves rather than stems.
To do so, simply snip off a healthy leaf bud and place it on top of moist soil. Wait for roots to appear before transplanting your cutting into larger pots.
Echeveria neon breakers care information
Echeveria neon breakers are not only beautiful but also very easy to care for, making them a great choice for beginning succulent enthusiasts. They will thrive in either full or partial sun and require little water once established.
A common problem with Echeverias is slow growth, which is often caused by too much water. While you should avoid letting these succulents dry out, be sure not to overwater.
Light requirement
You’ll want to make sure Echeveria neon breakers get bright light. Avoid direct sunlight, especially if your plant is new or you have it potted in a small container (less than 6 inches in diameter). Move it outside gradually, letting it adjust to the full sun over several days.
For more experienced growers, you can also grow Echeveria neon breakers in low-light conditions for lush green leaves and brilliant colors.
Soil/potting mix
Echeveria neon breakers prefer well-draining soil and can grow in pots or planters. Make sure that your plant is placed in the soil that allows air to pass through it. They also require soil with good drainage, but without excess air pockets, as they do not like their roots to dry out quickly.
A general-purpose potting mix works well for echeverias, with some added perlite or vermiculite. If you are growing your echeveria in a container, choose one that has plenty of room for root growth. The larger the container, the more leeway you will have when it comes to watering and fertilizing frequency.
An 8-inch (20 cm) pot is ideal for smaller varieties; 10 inches (25 cm) will work better for most other types of echeverias.
Watering
Echeveria neon breakers are succulent, and therefore, require little water. While in the growth phase, however, more water is needed to keep it hydrated. Soil should be kept damp at all times. Make sure you never allow your potting soil to dry out.
Fertilizer
Plants need nitrogen to help them grow, but too much of it can cause a plant’s leaves to burn. If you are using a fertilizer with a high amount of nitrogen, be sure to follow directions carefully and reduce your fertilizer amount if your plants show signs of distress.
During the winter months (December through February), feed once a month with an all-purpose fertilizer diluted to half-strength with water. Then resume watering normally as soon as temperatures rise again in March.
Temperature
Echeverias do best when kept within an environment that is cool to warm. A range of 50-85 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal, but they can still survive down to 40 degrees. If you live in a cold climate, bring your plant inside during cold months and move it back outside in warmer weather.
Alternatively, if you’re placing it outdoors for summer, keep it covered at night to protect it from frost.
Humidity
Water your echeveria neon breakers sparingly. While it’s tempting to overwater, especially when you’re trying to grow them quickly, moisture buildup will cause root rot if it isn’t properly drained. Never allow your plant to sit in water or it could die within a few days. Add water only when they begin to feel dry on top.
The ideal humidity range is between 40 and 60 percent. For best results, place your echeveria neon breakers in a room with high humidity. If you live in a dry climate, you can increase moisture by placing a humidifier near your plant or setting it on a tray of wet pebbles. Monitor them daily to make sure they aren’t sitting in water.
Pruning
Just like any other plant, echeverias need to be pruned. Over time they can get large and leggy, and begin to grow into neighboring plants or even hang over your aquarium’s sides.
Pruning a plant back not only keeps it healthy but also improves its appearance, as well as making it easier to harvest for cuttings (if you are planning on taking cuttings from your echeveria). So when should you prune? Well, that depends on what type of echeveria you have.
The most important thing to remember is that each type requires different care and will vary in terms of how often they should be trimmed. A good rule of thumb is to trim them at least once every two months if left untrimmed; however, if you want a fuller-looking plant, then trimming more frequently may be necessary.
When to repot
Any time you notice that your plant’s roots are filling up its pot, it’s time to repot. However, some plants are more likely to need repotting than others. Succulents tend to grow in clumps over a long period of time and may eventually require repotting.
Cacti have short life spans and generally only need repotting once or twice during their lifespan. Plants with multiple growing points (such as echeverias) will also need repotting when they outgrow their pots.
Dormancy
In general, Echeverias will rest and go dormant for a few months during cooler weather or if kept on the dry side. Try not to panic when your plant sheds its leaves as it enters dormancy – provided you follow these care tips, your Echeveria will come back strong.
Don’t water your plant at all during its dormancy, but don’t let it totally dry out either. Water very lightly every month or so, just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely. Your plant should emerge in spring with fresh new growth.
Echeveria neon breakers flower & fragrance
This plant is generally described as having a strong or moderate fragrance. The flowers are thought to be equally fragrant.
Growth rate
These succulents grow at a medium pace. If you’re just learning how to take care of them, start with younger specimens or ones that are already in bloom. They’ll grow slower and be easier to train. You’ll want your new echeveria neon breakers to reach a height between 12 and 18 inches.
Toxicity
Echeverias are toxic to dogs and cats, so don’t leave your succulents in pet-accessible areas. If you want to ensure that your pet doesn’t eat your echeveria, consider placing it out of reach on a high shelf or in a room where pets aren’t allowed.
If you have curious children around, keep an eye on them too, the fleshy leaves look appetizing! Accidental ingestion may cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.
USDA hardiness zones
This succulent thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11. If you live in a colder climate, it’s best to grow echeveria neon breakers indoors. However, if you want to take your chances and grow it outdoors, protect it from frost by placing it on a sheltered patio or under an overhang.
Pests and diseases
Although echeverias are generally pest- and disease-free, it’s good to be aware of problems that can occur. The most common pests include scale, thrips, mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. If you suspect an infestation, try spraying leaves with water from a misting bottle, or wipe them down with a rag dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
Be careful not to get any of these chemicals on other plants! These pests tend to congregate on new growth, so check for signs there first.
Also, keep an eye out for fungal diseases such as leaf spots or powdery mildew; if you see signs of these issues, remove affected leaves and cut back on watering.
Finally, watch out for slugs, these slimy creatures love to chomp their way through echeveria leaves.
Conclusion
With these care tips and information, you can keep your echeveria neon breakers healthy for years to come. You will find that these tips will also work on all types of echeverias, so you can apply them to other types of houseplants and succulents as well.
There are many ways to care for succulents, but with proper care and nurturing, they can last you a lifetime!
