Echeveria lilacina is a plant species that hails from northern Mexico in Central America. It is a slow-growing plant also known as the ghost echeveria due to the pale dusty appearance of its leaves.
The dusty white coating gives the plant an overall ghostly look. Being a native species of Mexico, it is also sometimes known as the Mexican hens and chick. The reason behind this unusual name is the growth pattern of this plant. The echeveria lilacina typically grows as rosettes that grow around a central original rosette, hence the name hens and chicks.
This Echeveria succulent is every plant lover’s dream. If you are a particular succulent lover, then this is the plant you should look out for.
It is a stunning geometrically symmetrical plant with a beautiful pastel appearance. Unlike most succulent varieties, this one is especially easy to grow and maintain. It is, therefore, a widely loved plant for plant fanatics.
Read on to find out the best-kept secrets of caring for your ghost echeveria throughout the year.
Echeveria lilacina Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Sub-Family: Sedoideae
Genus: Echeveria
History
The Echeveria lilacina stems from Nuevo Leon located in the northern part of Mexico. It is also considered to be a native species of Texas, America. Like most members of the genus Echeveria, this Echeveria succulent is also a popular ornamental and medicinal plant.
Genus Echeveria
The genus consists of 150 identified species of succulent flowering plants with brightly colored flowers. It is a member of the Crassulaceae family which is native to the rocky regions of Mexico and Central America.
There are a variety of small and large plants present in the genus Echeveria. The smaller members are planted in pots while the latter grow well in gardens.
Features of Echeveria lilacina
Structure
The succulent perennial Echeveria lilacina has a rosette appearance. The entire plant appears like a flower, therefore, it is sometimes mistaken as a faux plant. It has distinctive colored foliage which makes it a stunning contrasting option for your garden.
Size
This echeveria is notably a slow-grower. It is due to this that the plant achieves its mature size over a considerably long time. Once matured, the succulent can grow up to 6 inches tall and 7 inches wide.
Leaves
Leaves of the echeveria lilacina are the most dominant feature of the plant. The fine powder coating on its leaves gives the plant an eerie appearance, hence the name ghost echeveria. The dusty coat makes the plant take on a lilac hue.
The fleshy leaves of this variety are spoon-shaped with a pointed end. They are stacked together forming a spectacular rotation symmetry around a center point. Its leaves are not only a head-turning feature, but also serve as indispensable water reservoirs for the plant.
Flowers
It blooms during late winter and continues till early spring. To see your succulent in full bloom is something you do not want to miss. Its pale pink to coral flowers are surely a sight for sore eyes.
The flowers typically appear as clusters hanging from individual stalks. Each rosette is capable of producing multiple flower-laden stalks. The Echeveria lilacina is a plant that has a lot to offer. Its flowers are strikingly fragrant and are bound to capture your heart.
Toxicity
This exquisite delicate plant does not have any toxic features. The plant is not reported to show any toxicity towards humans and animals. Its non-toxic nature makes it an ideal plant for your home and garden.
This variety of the genus Echeveria is completely safe to handle with no side effects whatsoever. Even though the plant is not poisonous, be very mindful of your pets eating its foliage as they can damage it beyond repair.
Dormancy
Echeveria has a characteristic dormant phase, during which the plant retards its growth and ceases nutrient absorption. The plant predominantly grows in spring and summer and becomes inactive during autumn and winter.
Fungal problems become widespread during the dormant phase as the older leaves begin to die and fall. This can potentially lead to the rotting of your succulent.
Echeveria lilacina Care
The Echeveria is a slow-growing succulent that emerges from the semi-desert regions of Mexico. Being accustomed to the rocky and desert areas, its growth requirements are quite basic.
Interested to find out more about how to care for your Echeveria lilacina? Read on to find a quick guide about all that is required by this exquisite succulent.
Quick Care Guide
Water: Minimum water
Light: Bright sunlight or partial shade
Humidity: Low to medium
Temperature: 18 to 27 degrees celsius
Fertilizer: Required during active growth i.e spring and summer
Place Requirements
This native species of the rocky regions of Mexico is a very basic variety to grow and maintain. It can flourish in a variety of regions without many complications.
The only thing you should be conscious about is exposure to sunlight. Make sure to plant it in a place that receives ample sunlight.
Water Requirements
This delicate-looking plant is indeed a tough fellow. As it originates from high-altitude rocky terrains, it can survive on very little water. The succulent leaves of this plant can store water within them making it drought tolerant.
Watering your Echeveria lilacina only twice a month adequately suffices its water needs. This schedule is suitable for the spring and summertime, during winters watering it once a month is fine too. Lastly, If your succulent companion is planted outdoors, water from rainfall will naturally fulfill its watering needs.
Important Instructions
Be mindful of overwatering it. Before every watering cycle, make sure the soil is dry up to an inch of its depth. After watering let the excess water drain out of the pot’s drainage hole. Ensure a clear drainage hole so that extra water does not pool into the plant pot.
Frequent watering or water pooling can cause root rot and a poor-looking appearance of your plant. Never let water collect at the base of the rosette, or else it will kill the plant. Therefore, it is advised to always water the Echeveria lilacina at its base and not from above.
Sunlight Requirements
It is a light-loving plant and should be placed in a well-lit area. If you have planted it outdoors, the natural sunlight will be enough for it. When planted indoors, you should put it in a bright sunny area for at least six hours.
In addition to this, you can supplement your plant with an artificial source of light too. The plant can also thrive well in partial shade. However, in a dark environment, it becomes leggy and starts to shed leaves.
Temperature Requirements
Temperature is a crucial aspect of its growing conditions. The Echeveria lilacina enjoys moderate to warm temperatures ranging from 18 to 27 degrees celsius.
This dainty fellow is not a fan of cold and frosty climate conditions. These succulents are extremely sensitive to dropping temperatures. If you live in a cold climate and want to grow this succulent, simply grow it as a houseplant.
Soil Requirements
It thrives well in porous, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. The pH range between 6.0 – 7.0 works best for this plant.
Surprisingly, you can also grow your ghost Echeveria in a soilless growing medium. Just ensure that the substrate is sterilized and has the correct pH.
Desquamated leaves of the Echeveria lilacina fall into the plant pot and decay. Decaying leaves in the soil can harbor a host of pests and bacteria and can lead to plant rot as well. Routinely remove fallen leaves from the soil of your plant to ensure your succulent health.
Humidity Requirements
These plants prefer an environment with low to medium amounts of humidity. Avoid placing them in the laundry or the restroom, since these places have a high humidity level. A rule of thumb for your lilacina succulent can be, the drier the better!
In excessively humid conditions the plant may develop pathogenic diseases. Therefore, keep your plant away from humidifiers and overly humid environments.
Fertilizer Requirements
This succulent variety has scarce fertilizer requirements. The Echeveria lilacina does not require an abundant supply of nutrients to do well. Your fertilizing schedule should only focus on the growing periods. Hence, fertilizing it once a year will be more than enough.
Be wary not to over-fertilize your plant, as it can do more harm than good. Your plant may experience fertilizer burns and lanky growth in response to excessive fertilizing.
Make a wise choice while choosing the fertilizer. It should be of the right strength and nutrient mixture to suit the succulent variety.
Pruning Requirements
Being succulent, It does not need to be regularly pruned. You can conveniently prune the plant if it gets too lanky. Another situation where pruning might be a good option is to remove dead flowers off of the plant. This can help stimulate accelerated flower growth.
Repotting Requirements
It is a good practice to repot your plant during the warm season. Repotting the plant maximizes its nutrient uptake and also allows more growing space.
Repot the plant once the soil is dry and gently remove the old pot. Carefully clear away any residual soil from the roots and repot the plant again.
Growth Zones
Native to the Neuvo Leon, this Echeveria succulent does well in high-altitude rocky areas. The USDA growth zones of 9b to 11b are best suited to this lilacina succulent.
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Echeveria lilacina Propagation
This succulent can be propagated in a variety of ways. The seeds, leaves, and cuttings can all be used to propagate this easy-to-go succulent plant.
To propagate it through cuttings, cut a single piece from the mother plant. After cutting out the leaf, allow it to form a callus before planting it. Always use disinfected gardening equipment and plant the cutting in dry soil.
Summary
The Echeveria lilacina is a delicate yet, and exquisite succulent plant. It is a delight for every plant fanatic to make this extraordinary succulent variety a part of their garden.
Despite the majestic appearance of the plant, it is surprisingly a very easy one to grow and maintain. By following the simple care guide offered in this article you can grow impressive ghost echeveria.
