Last updated on September 16th, 2023 at 05:39 pm
Echeveria orion, also known as the Hens and Chicks echeveria, is an easy-care succulent native to Mexico. The echeverias are a diverse group of plants that come in many sizes and colors but all have leaves with different shapes for defending against predators. Some echeverias even look like leaves.
The echeveria orion is a beautiful echeveria species that has pink leaves with green tips. This echeveria, like most succulents, can be grown in full sun to partial shade and needs soil that drains well such as cactus mix or potting soil for vegetable gardens. Enjoy this echeveria species for its beautiful patterning and ease of care.
Echeveria ‘Orion’, a hybrid of Echeveria lilacina x Echeveria pulidonis, features unusual pastel-purple colors that vary to pink under strong light. A Surreal Succulents’ favorite.
A powerful breed of color and form that can grow up to 40cm.
This echeveria does well in pots, baskets, or hanging pots. It is great for beginners and can be planted outside after the frost has come when night temperatures are at least 15 degrees Celsius.
The echeveria will need to have its soil moistened as often as it would during the summer months but with less frequency. It will need to be watered often, but watering should not be too heavy.
The echeveria is frost and cold tolerant as well as drought-resistant when planted outside in the ground or a pot under some other cover like an eave or tree branch.
Why echeveria orion?
Echevarria plants are known for being easy to incorporate into everyday life, and they thrive on neglect as well as a lot of attention. These succulent plants can be used in landscaping projects like topiaries, green walls, or even echeveria pots. Echeverias are also easy to propagate, making them great for people who want more than one plant but don’t have the patience to wait for a nursery order to come in.
Qucik tips
Echeveria orion should not be exposed to cold drafts from air vents and doors in winter; they grow much better with warmer temperatures between 68°F (20°C) and 72°F (22°C). They require bright light, but not direct sunlight. Echeveria orion usually needs eight to ten hours of bright indirect sun each day; if they are placed in a sunny area, be sure to provide them with some protection from the intense rays, such as by placing them behind other plants which will block the light.
Echeveria orion propagation
An echeveria orion can be propagated by cutting off a branch from the plant and placing it in moist soil. This will root within several weeks, producing new echeveria plants that are genetically identical to their parent. The roots of this flower should also be trimmed periodically to help promote healthy growth and thicker leaves.
Echeveria orion can also be propagated by division. This is done in the spring, preferably early, to give the new plants plenty of time to get established. It’s best if you wait until all danger of frost has passed before dividing your echeverias for propagation purposes. To divide echeverias, simply dig up the plant and split it into smaller pieces with a sharp knife or hand trowel. Each piece should have at least one pseudobulb, plus some roots if possible.
You can also divide echeverias by cutting them apart as long as the new cuttings have enough root mass to remain healthy without assistance from you.
Echeveria orion care
Light requirements
Echeverias are shade tolerant and prefer bright light. They are succulents that can be grown outside in the full sun to partial shade, but it will need some protection from the hot summer sun. It may seem strange to grow echeveria in full shade, but echeveria orion needs to be protected from the very hot sun.
Soil/potting mix
Soil is one of the most important factors when it comes to echeveria orion. They thrive in soil that’s slightly drier and not too wet, well-drained, and preferably alkaline. The echeverias should be planted in a pot with drainage holes at the bottom so keep this in mind if you are planting echeveria in a pot without draining holes. There are echeverias that can do well and thrive in soil with a lot more water but echeveria orion is not one of them.
Soil moisture should be kept below what’s called field capacity; this means the soil will still have plenty of room for air, and it shouldn’t feel wet to the touch either. Echeveria orion does well in soil that’s slightly drier with a lot of drainages.
They prefer dry, organically rich soil and require good drainage. They are not tolerant to wet soils at all so keep this in mind when planting them.
Temperature
The echeveria orion thrives in a temperature range that is between the temperatures of 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area with hot summers, this plant will be able to handle it just fine but they don’t do well when the temps get too high (above 85 degrees F). As far as wintertime goes, echeveria orion can handle temps as low as 40 degrees F.
It is very important to keep this plant out of areas where the temperatures dip below freezing for too long because it will eventually die back and turn brown in that area when you bring it back indoors again. It needs a break from cold every once in a while, but it can handle temperatures in the 40-50 degrees just fine.
Humidity
Echeveria orion can live in a wide range of humidity, but it prefers to be grown with high levels (>60%) for best results. Humidity is one of the most important factors when growing echeverias and should not drop below 50%. This plant does well in humid environments such as bathrooms and kitchens due to these environments being constantly humid.
Watering
The echeveria orion is a succulent plant and can go without water for long periods of time. It prefers to be watered every two weeks, but it will do well with watering only once per month if you are in a dry climate.
Echeveria prefers to have their soil stay moist at all times. If the echeveria is wilted, it needs water. If the echeveria is dry and crispy, then you need to give it more water.
The echeveria orion prefers moist soil but will be fine in a wide range of conditions as long as humidity levels stay above 50%. It requires bright sun for at least half of the day.
Fertilizing
Echeveria orion is a succulent, and needs little to no fertilizer. You should fertilize your plant with organic matter in the form of composted leaves, peat moss, aged manure for cacti, and more.
Repotting echeveria orion
Echeveria orion should be repotted in the spring unless they are growing in a hanging pot. Remove any dead roots and clean off old soil (usually with water) before adding fresh potting mix to your container. Echeverias prefer loose, well-draining soil; make sure that there is plenty of room for water to be absorbed but it’s not so open that the echeveria will dry out.
Echeveria orion should then receive a thorough watering and an application of Epsom salts before potting back up again in their new, larger container. Your echeveria may experience a loss of leaves for the first few weeks after repotting, but it will recover.
Growth rate
Echeveria orion is a very fast-growing species, which can grow up to ten inches (25 cm) in height per year when given the right conditions.
Pruning
Echeverias prefer to be pruned in spring or early summer. The plants are easily damaged by excessive force, so use sharp scissors and take care when working near the base of a plant.
Some echeveria species can produce flower spikes with multi-petaled flowers that look like small roses on tall stems. Echeveria Orion is not one of those species.
Toxicity
Echeveria orion is toxic to cats and dogs.
Pests and diseases
Echeveria orion is susceptible to mealy bugs. The echeverias can often be safeguarded from these pests by using a barrier of Vaseline around the plant’s base. These flowers are also prone to root rot and fungal diseases, so they should not be watered in excess and must be kept well ventilated at all times.
