#they're basically desert plants so it's hard to care for them properly inside most of the time

[pallanophblargh]

autumnhound

What's your secret with keeping the echeverria alive?  I just snatched up a blue green variety and I'm desperate to keep THIS one alive.

I’ve got a few things I’ve learned myself over this last year about echeverias, and keeping them alive. The main thing is they like plenty of sun. Most indoor spaces won’t accommodate them all that well, but if you’re in the northern hemisphere, a south facing window that is unobstructed will give you good light. Put it as close to the window as  you can. The further away it is, the less light it will get, at which point the leaves will flatten and eventually curl downward. It might not die right away in this condition, but coupled with too much water will spell doom. EVERYONE has killed one this way before. If your indoor light is garbage, consider placing your plant outside in a sheltered location (bright shade) and slowly get it used to full sunlight. Succulents can burn if they go from indoor conditions to outside sun too quickly! If you’d rather buy a grow-light/grow bulb, you can do that, too! I’m utilizing a combination of natural light and grow lights for most of mine, so I’m kind of cheating a little bit.

Water! I only water when my plants tell me they need water: The bottom leaves will start to feel less firm, then they’ll wrinkle. If you wait too long, they’ll absorb their lower leaves for moisture and nutrients. Don’t worry, this won’t kill it, but it would be the perfect time to water. Don’t mist a succulent: In my experience, this has caused nothing but problems. Outside is likely a different matter! When you do water, water until it comes out the drainage hole. Don’t let the pot sit in a saucer full of water, though! Deep waterings encourage echeverias to put their roots deep into the soil/develop strong root systems. 

Soil! Never use regular potting soil for tropical houseplants. Even normal cactus/succulent/citrus soil might have too much peat moss or hold too much water. Mix it up with lots of perlite or pumice, pine bark fines, or sand. The soil should drain quickly and the pot should have a large drain hole. Terracotta is best, and cheap!

Most issues with echeveria occur when the lighting is poor, and there is too much water. They may appear stretched (etiolated) and will reach for sun, and if overwatered, their leaves may turn yellowish and squishy and fall off at the lightest touch. Generally this means your echeveria is rotted and may be too late to save, though if you can pull some healthy leaves, you can propogate to get some hopeful baby plants.

Honestly, they’re tough little buggers to keep alive inside as they are seriously light greedy, but if you keep a light touch on water, they’ll likely pull through. Winter months mean grow lights for most of us who want to keep them year round, so that’s another thing to consider.

If it makes you feel better, my echeveria kill tally is at least 5, not counting a handful of sedums and at least 8 cacti. You learn something with each one!