Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Echeveria rosea, also known as Rose Echeveria, is a lovely succulent plant that looks great in both containers and landscape beds. This plant has become increasingly popular among home gardeners because of its unique blue-green color, low maintenance requirements, and ease of propagation.
Rose Echeveria is one of the most popular succulents because of its beautiful blushing pink and silver-colored leaves. This plant’s hardiness, ease of care, and compact size make it an excellent choice for gardeners both novice and expert alike. Here are some tips on how to take care of your Echeveria rosea and how to make sure it lives up to its full potential!
Echeveria rosea is an easy-to-grow succulent that’s popular in the houseplant industry. A native of Mexico, it can be grown outdoors as an annual in zones 8b through 11 or indoors year-round as a tropical houseplant.
If you’re thinking about giving this plant a try in your own garden, make sure to use these care tips so you can enjoy it for years to come!
Origin and distribution
Echeveria rosea plants are native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. They are members of the Crassulaceae family, which also includes jade plants (Crassula), stonecrops (Sedum), and wandering Jews (Tradescantia).
This member of household sub-shrubs is considered succulent because it stores water in its fleshy leaves, stems, and roots to endure arid conditions. It’s one of about 200 species within its genus.
The name echeveria comes from Mexican botanist Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy, who lived from 1780 to 1851.
Echeveria rosea propagation
Echeveria rosea plants are propagated by offset or leaf cuttings. The top growing tip of an offset can be removed and replanted. The plant will form roots at any point along its stem, so removing a section of a leaf with two or three viable veins is sufficient for rooting.
This procedure works best in spring when temperatures are between 60° and 75°F (16°-24°C). Sow seed on top of the soil, not too deep, and keep warm until germination occurs.
The seed should sprout within one to four weeks. Once sprouted, move seedlings to their permanent location.
Echeveria rosea care information
Keep echeveria roseas in an area with bright, indirect light. While they can handle direct sunlight for short periods of time, long-term exposure to direct sunlight will result in shriveled leaves and burnt tips. Echeverias prefer temperatures between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during active growth and 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Light requirement
Echeveria rosea requires a lot of light, similar to cacti. A bright, sunny window is an ideal location but ensures that it gets at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. If you’re having trouble getting your echeveria rose to grow in low-light conditions, try supplementing with artificial lighting. A fluorescent desk lamp works well.
Soil/potting mix
Echeverias do best in soil that’s well-draining, so you’ll want to use a soil mix that contains elements like pumice and perlite. Alternatively, you can also add some organic matter to your regular potting mix, such as coconut coir or leaf mold. Your plants should be in pots that are at least 8 inches deep so they don’t dry out too quickly.
Watering
In most cases, succulents should be watered about once a week. Because these plants are able to store water in their fleshy leaves and stems, it can be difficult to know when they need to be watered again.
The best method for watering is using your finger to push down on individual succulent leaves; if they’re soft and pliable rather than firm, you’ll know that they need some water.
Another good way to check is by taking note of how much light there is shining through your plant’s leaves; if they look translucent or dull, then it’s time to give them some water.
If you live in an area with very little rainfall during certain times of the year, then you may have to supplement with more frequent watering during those periods.
Fertilizer
When growing in pots, echeverias tend to grow slowly. Fertilizing weekly (every two weeks in winter) can boost growth and keep plants looking their best. In general, you should use a balanced fertilizer at half of what is recommended on the packaging.
For example, if it says to use 1/4 cup per gallon of water once a month, use 1/8 cup instead and repeat every two weeks. If your plant seems to be losing its leaves, fertilize more often. If your plant has yellowing leaves or isn’t as full as usual, give it less fertilizer next time around.
Temperature
Echeveria rosea prefer to grow in warm, bright conditions, making them excellent houseplants. The ideal temperature for echeverias is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
When grown in a container outdoors, their roots are particularly vulnerable to frost, so it’s important to move them indoors before winter sets in or protect them with a cold frame.
If temperatures drop below 55 degrees F., your plant will almost certainly die back and may not be able to recover even with added heat.
Humidity
Echeveria rosea is a drought-tolerant succulent, but that doesn’t mean it can thrive without some attention to humidity. Echeverias prefer a humidity level of around 50 percent; aim for 70-80 percent when you water them, particularly in winter and spring.
Try adding a room humidifier or use hot water in your sink or bathtub to give your echeverias a boost. Just be sure not to overwater, as echeverias can rot if their soil remains wet for too long.
Pruning
While some succulents can withstand a trim or two, echeverias (or hens and chicks) should never be cut back. Instead, prune by removing leaves that are dead or dying. If they are yellowing on one side, it means they are getting too much sun; move them to a shadier spot.
Otherwise, you can wait until your plant has flowered and then remove spent blooms and keep cutting away any damaged leaves as they appear. This way you will encourage new growth from existing stems.
You may also want to pinch off any new growth at its base if it’s growing in an awkward direction or seems too long for its space.
When to repot
A healthy Echeveria rosea can grow to become quite large, so if your plant has outgrown its pot, it’s probably time to repot.
Also, slow growth, yellowing leaves, and dead roots showing through drainage holes in the bottom of its pot., mean that it’s time for a repot.
To repot an Echeveria rosea, remove it from its current container and gently separate any crowded roots with your fingers or a chopstick. Then choose a new container about one size larger than the old one; make sure there are several drainage holes in the bottom of it.
Fill it with fresh potting soil mixed with perlite or sand (or both) to increase air circulation around the root system. Place your echeveria in its new home and backfill with more potting mix until it is level with the top of its root ball. Water thoroughly to settle down all of those loose particles.
You may need to water again once or twice after planting depending on how dry things were previously. Continue watering regularly as you would have before repotting, but be careful not to overwater! Remember, plants in smaller pots dry out faster than those in bigger pots.
Dormancy/Winter rest
During colder months, Echeveria rosea can enter a state of dormancy. At times like these, don’t be afraid to withhold water from your plant or even allow it to experience complete drying out. This will allow Echeveria rosettes to recuperate in time for spring/summer growth and flowering.
When dormancy is complete (as evidenced by shriveled leaves), reintroduce regular watering and fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer applied monthly at 1/4 strength. You may also want to apply an all-purpose organic soil amendment such as compost or rotted manure around your plants during dormancy.
Echeveria rosea flower & fragrance
Echeveria rosea produces beautiful, star-shaped flowers in shades of red, purple, pink, and white. The plant also has a delightful fragrance.
Growth rate
Echeveria rosea is a very slow-growing succulent. You will have to be patient for a few years before your plant produces flowers and seeds. The good news is that you won’t have to repot it often, and when you do, propagation should be quite easy. Just remove offsets from around its base and replant them in fresh soil.
If you’re planning on letting it flower, make sure to provide enough light (which means 12 hours of sunlight per day) and water regularly throughout summer. This species tends to go dormant during the winter months so keep an eye out for new growth in spring!
Toxicity
It’s essential to remember that echeverias are toxic if ingested. Keep pets and children away from your plants, and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. Because of their ease of cultivation, echeverias are also a common inclusion in houseplants for children’s rooms, so be sure to monitor their use around kids and pets as well.
USDA hardiness zones
Echeveria rosea thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. However, if you live in a warmer climate and want to grow your own echeveria, there are ways to make it work.
The most important thing is to keep your plant out of direct sunlight during hot summer months and make sure it has enough water during dry spells. If you have a greenhouse or other indoor area that stays above 55 degrees at night, you can grow echeveria outside year-round.
Pests and diseases
There are no serious pests or diseases that affect Echeveria rosea, although aphids and spider mites may occasionally feed on them. Use insecticidal soap to control these pests; spray infested plants with water to get rid of them. Adding a few drops of mineral oil to your weekly watering schedule can help prevent both pests.
Aphids leave behind a sticky residue when they feed on plant leaves; you’ll notice it as a white, powdery substance. If you see black specks on your plant’s leaves, it could be mealybugs, another common pest for succulents.
Mealybugs are easy to spot, they look like tiny cotton balls attached to leaf surfaces.
Conclusion
Echeveria rosea is a succulent plant that can live for many years in your home. Echeverias are easy to care for and can add a little something to any room in your house. With proper care, they could be a great addition to your home. If you have an echeveria or want one, read on to learn how to care for it properly.
