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How to Grow Echeveria

Echeveria or as they're commonly known as 'Hens & Chicks', are a group of neat, compact rosette-forming plants looking especially attractive in pots or hanging baskets. The overlapping leaves may be green, blue to grey, or silver, many with pink flushes. Flowers are held on tall stems high above the foliage and are bell-shaped, mostly red, yellow or orange and flower during late winter to summer. Echeverias multiply rapidly and grow easily from cuttings.

Full sun to bright indirect light and will tolerate light frosts if kept dry.

Regular watering during hot, dry weather, allowing the soil to dry out between watering, keep more dry in winter.

Well drained soil

Suitable for all climatic zones. All year round.

Growing tips

Some hybrid varieties are known as 'painted ladies', as their leaf margins are deep pink to red and crinkled or wavy.
Most varieties lose their lower leaves in winter so after 3-5 years, they can be less attractive and need to be re-planted or propagated. If the old, dying leaves are not removed they may start to decay causing fungal problems.
Can be propagated by division, stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. Place divisions and cuttings in a moist coarse sandy propagating mix with minimal irrigation until they show signs of growth. Then re-plant into your garden bed or container.

How to grow echeveria in your garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. In areas with heavy or clay soil, to help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix in well.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 4

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 5

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 6

Feed in Autumn and Spring with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to promote strong root development, healthy colourful foliage & flowers.

How to grow echevaria in a pot

Step 1

Pick a variety that can be grown in a pot. Choose a pot at least twice the width and depth of the rootball. Position in full sun.

Step 2

Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole in centre of pot and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 4

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 5

Feed in Autumn and Spring with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to promote strong root development, healthy colourful foliage and flowers.