Consulta Plantas

Care of the succulent plant Echeveria lilacina or Ghost echeveria

The genus Echeveria, family Crassulaceae, comprises about 400 species of succulent plants native to the area between Mexico and northern Brazil. Some species are: Echeveria lilacina, Echeveria runyonii, Echeveria affinis, Echeveria shaviana, Echeveria setosa, Echeveria pulvinata, Echeveria glauca, Echeveria gibbiflora, Echeveria elegans, Echeveria agavoides, Echeveria pilosa, Echeveria colorata, Echeveria derenbergii.

Common names: Ghost echeveria, Mexican hens and chicks. This species is native to Nuevo León, Mexico.

Echeveria lilacina is a slow-growing succulent plant that forms rosettes up to 15 cm (5.9") tall and 25 cm (9.8") in diameter. The fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves are silver-grey and turn blue and pink in winter. The flowers appear in arching clusters at the end of 15 cm (5.9") long reddish stems and are pink or red. It blooms from late winter to early spring.

Ghost echeveria is used in rockeries, in cactus and succulent gardens, in pots for patios and terraces and as an indoor plant next to a sunny window.

Echeveria lilacina prefers full sun exposure but also grows in light shade. It resists frosts down to -9 ºC (15º F).

It is important that the soil is well drained, for which a commercial substrate for cacti and succulents can be used.

Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. The rest of the year reduce watering; The leaves wrinkle when the plant needs water. It is important not to wet the rosettes.

Fertilize with mineral fertilizer for cacti (at half the usual dose) once in spring and again in summer.

Pruning is not necessary but it is advisable to remove dry leaves.

Echeveria lilacina is a plant that is quite resistant to the usual pests and diseases but very sensitive to excess humidity.

Mexican hens and chicks is propagated from seeds sown in spring and by leaf cuttings.

Images of the succulent plant Echeveria lilacina or Ghost echeveria