Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Pachyveria Powder Puff Exotica, also known as powder puff succulent, pachy succulent, or pachyveria succulent, is a beautiful addition that you’ll enjoy keeping in your home or office.
If you’re looking to add something extra and unusual to your plant collection, consider the pachyveria powder puff exotica which has earned its place among the most unusual and exotic plants in the world today.
The powder puff succulent creates a semi-spherical shape as it grows, with lime green leaves that look similar to those of the more common Echeveria, except they have red edges around the perimeter of each leaf and are softer and fluffier than Echeveria leaves.
Not only is this succulent unique in name, but it’s also unique in appearance and growth form, making it one of the most eye-catching succulents you can add to your collection!
Origin and distribution
The Pachyveria succulent is native to Guatemala and Mexico. It’s a member of the Crassulaceae family, which includes around 1,400 species of succulents. The powder puff plant grows in rocky, mountainous regions and is often found on cliffs or in ravines.
They grow to be about 6 inches tall and have rosettes of leaves that are usually covered with white scales.
The small flowers have yellow petals that turn pink with age, releasing a pleasant fragrance.
In some areas, it is called stonecrop due to its ability to grow among rocks without soil at all.
This little beauty does best when grown outdoors in full sun during summer months, but can be overwintered indoors with light provided for 8 hours per day. Let this pachy succulent go dormant if temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, otherwise, you risk losing your precious plants. As with any succulent, the key to successful care is ample water and proper drainage.
Pachyveria powder puff propagation
Pachyveria succulents are easy to propagate from leaf or stem cuttings. I’ve found that the quickest and most successful method is to take a stem cutting just below a node. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant in well-draining succulent soil.
Water lightly and place in a bright, indirect light location. New roots should form within 2-4 weeks. Once they’re established, transplant them into an 8-pot filled with cactus potting mix and water as needed.
Keep in a warm room out of direct sunlight until fully rooted before moving outdoors for full sun exposure. Indoors, this pachy succulent can be watered about once per week during its dormancy period, which lasts from late summer to early spring.
If your pachy becomes too dry it will look shriveled and lose its beautiful green coloration. During periods of intense heat, it’s best to keep them inside in air conditioning where they’ll do better than if left outside without adequate shade and water.
Pachyveria powder puff care information
These beautiful succulents are native to Mexico and prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They’re drought tolerant and can be allowed to dry out completely between watering.
To encourage blooming, fertilize once a month during the spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer. These plants are relatively low maintenance and can be propagated easily from leaf cuttings.
Light requirement
These powder puff succulents require bright light but can tolerate some direct sun. They’ll do best in a south- or west-facing window. If you don’t have a bright spot indoors, you can grow them outdoors in a shady spot.
When your plant gets spindly and stretched out, it’s telling you that it needs more light! Find an area with plenty of indirect sunlight and move the plant there for a few weeks to get it growing again.
Soil/potting mix
A well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix is ideal for pachyveria powder puff exotica. You can make your own by mixing together equal parts of coarse sand, peat moss, and perlite. To determine the size of the container you will need, measure the diameter and height from the soil line to the top rim.
The width of your container should be three times as wide as it is high. If you are planting a group of plants, give them plenty of room to grow and choose a pot that’s large enough to accommodate them all!
Watering
These guys are super easy to care for and are perfect for those who are just starting out with succulents. They can tolerate a little bit of neglect and still look amazing. When watering, make sure to give them a good soak, and then let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Fertilizer
Just like other succulents, the powder puff needs very little fertilizer. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually do more harm than good. A light feeding every other month is all that’s needed to keep your powder puff healthy and happy.
When it comes to fertilizer, less is definitely more with this plant. If you give it too much fertilizer, the excess nutrients will start to collect in its leaves. If not given enough fertilizer, the plant will appear pale and shriveled.
The general rule of thumb for most plants is that one time a month should be enough; but if you’re unsure whether or not you’re over-fertilizing your powder puff, use a soil test kit before applying any more fertilizers!
Temperature
The ideal temperature for pachyveria powder puff exotica is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
They should be protected from extreme heat, as this can cause them to sunburn. If your powder puff succulent is exposed to too much heat, the leaves will start to turn red or brown.
Humidity
All succulents need some humidity, but powder puff succulents are especially susceptible to dehydration if the air is too dry. You can increase the humidity around your powder puff by grouping it with other plants, using a pebble tray, or misting it regularly.
Keep an eye on your plant and adjust its care as needed to prevent dehydration and help it thrive.
The ideal humidity range is between 40-50%. If you’re struggling to maintain this level of humidity in your home, you might want to consider purchasing a humidifier. Alternatively, try placing your powder puff in a pot filled with wet sand.
Pruning
When pruning your pachyveria powder puff succulent, be sure to remove any dead or dying leaves. You can also trim back any leggy growth to encourage a fuller, bushier plant. As with all succulents, be sure to use sharp, clean scissors or shears to avoid damaging the plant.
When pruning, it’s also important to avoid removing too much of the plant at once as this can shock the system and cause the plant to go into dormancy. Just like humans need time to recover from surgery, so do plants!
If you find yourself needing to remove more than one-third of the pachyveria powder puff exotica’s foliage at one time, try waiting until spring when they naturally shed some leaves anyway.
When to repot
Repotting pachyveria powder puff is generally only necessary every 2-3 years, or when you see that the roots are starting to come out of the drainage holes. If you do need to repot, make sure to use a well-draining succulent potting mix and a pot with drainage holes.
Water your powder puff succulent deeply about a week before repotting to help make the process easier. Gently remove the plant from its current pot and shake off any excess dirt.
Dormancy/Winter rest
Pachyveria powder puff exotica is a beautiful, low-maintenance succulent that originates from Mexico. It’s important to note that this plant requires a winter rest period in order to thrive.
During the winter months, water very sparingly and allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. You may also notice that the leaves start to wrinkle and fall off during this time – this is normal! Just be sure not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.
In spring, resume watering on a regular basis. Enjoy the lush green color of your pachyveria powder puff exotica year-round by keeping it in an area with ample sunlight!
Pachyveria powder puff flower & fragrance
The flowers of the Pachyveria powder puff exotica are a beautiful sight to behold. They have a delicate, powdery fragrance that is simply intoxicating. The blooms are a beautiful white color with a hint of pink, and they are absolutely stunning.
These flowers are sure to please any gardener, and they make an excellent addition to any succulent collection.
Growth rate
The growth rate of the Pachyveria powder puff exotica is pretty fast. In just a few weeks, you can see new leaves and branches growing. The plant can grow up to 12 inches tall and 12 inches wide. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the plant and trim it back if it starts to get too big.
Toxicity
While Pachyveria powder puff exotica is not poisonous, it can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. The sap from the plant can also cause skin irritation. If you have this plant in your home, keep it out of reach of children and pets.
USDA hardiness zones
Pachyveria powder puff thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. It can also be grown indoors if given enough light. For optimal growth, make sure to provide your plant with well-drained soil and a sandy or loamy topsoil mix.
Pests and diseases
One of the great things about pachyveria powder puff succulents is that they are relatively pest and disease-free. However, like all plants, they can be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids, and other pests.
If you notice any of these critters on your plant, you can remove them by hand or with a small amount of insecticidal soap.
Pachyveria powder puff succulents are also susceptible to root rot, so make sure to plant them in well-draining soil and water them only when the soil is dry.
