Are you looking for a unique and quick-growing succulent? Say hello to the Echeveria prolifica plant. This Mexican native succulent forms beautiful rosettes in silvery-green with pinkish edges. Moreover, a good sun makes it blush to look even prettier.
This peep is one of the tallest rosette-forming succulents, reaching a length of about 2 feet. It grows and spreads rapidly by offsets and stolons, forming thick mats on the ground.
You can grow it quite well indoors. However, outdoor plantations are preferred due to their height and growing speed. Want to know more? Keep reading to enjoy an informative read about the Prolifica Succulent.
Echeveria Prolifica Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Genus: Echeveria
Species: E. prolifica
Genus Echeveria:
Echeveria is a popular genus of about 150 beautiful flowering species, with a history of horticulture award. The thick fleshy leaves and unique appearance along with easy-to-care nature are what make it a hot favorite of plant lovers.
Echeveria Prolifica Common Name
The name is derived from the word ‘Prolific’ meaning fruitful. This refers to the quick-growing and fast-spreading nature of the plant. It would not be wrong to say that it is one of the quickest offspring producing succulents. Hence, this peep is commonly known as the Prolific Echeveria.
Features of Echeveria Prolifica Plant
Structure
Echeveria prolifica plant produces beautiful greyish-green rosettes with a diameter of about 8 inches. Long stalk-like structures are seen growing on the plant which grows smaller rosettes. This growth pattern makes it spread further and form ground mats.
Leaves
Leaves are typical succulent types, thick and fleshy. The shape is narrow with pointed tips.
Echeveria Prolifica Flower
The flowers of this plant are pretty unique. They grow on stalks, each about 10 inches in length. Numerous yellow to brown flowers bloom in the spring season. These flowers are guarded by thick fleshy bracts. Moreover, they fall off often and root in the ground pretty easily.
Echeveria Prolifica Care
Thinking about getting a Prolifica for your yard? Basic requirements to keep the plant alive and happy are stated below.
Quick Guide:
Water: Infrequent (after the soil gets dry)
Sun: Full Sun to Partial shade
Humidity: Average
Fertilizer: Monthly dose in spring and summer
Water Requirement
Succulents work well with the basic ‘soak and dry method. You just have to soak the soil well enough and wait for it to get dry before watering again.
Instead of checking and waiting for the soil to get dry, it is a good idea to estimate the watering frequency. Howbeit, you have to keep an eye on the soil for the initial three weeks to observe the drying pattern according to your area.
For spring and summer, once to twice a week is generally a good estimate. On the other hand, once every three weeks is enough for fall and winter.
The key to proper watering of a succulent is to avoid over-watering. Plants standing in wet or mucky soil can cause fungus and root rot. So, make sure the soil is dry before you water it again.
Important Instructions:
- Prefer using lukewarm water especially on cold days.
- Water standing at the base of the rosette invites pests and fungus. Hence, avoid watering the rosettes to save them from standing water at the base.
Sunlight Requirement
Echeveria prolifica likes to stay in the bright sun. So, outdoor spots with at least 3 hours of direct sun are an ideal place for them. However, longer hours of direct sun can scorch out the delicate fleshy rosettes, especially in summer.
Temperature Requirement
Keep them warm, away from cold temperatures. An ideal range for the majority of succulents is between 25 to 50 F. This can give you an idea to place it at a suitable temperature.
Although preferred for outdoors, the people of cold frosty regions need to bring them indoors before winter. This is an essential step to save the plant from deadly frost.
Humidity Requirement
These ‘good boys’ will not create any fuss about the humidity levels. Normal moisture in the air will be good enough to keep them supple. However, in severe cases, the dry and heated indoor environment may need a humidifier.
Soil Requirement
Well-drained soils providing plenty of aeration are the need of succulents. You can use your common garden soil with some gravel for outdoor plantation. Also, an equal mixture of soil and perlite is another good option.
People looking for quick fixes in indoor plantations can simply go and buy a good cactus or succulent growing mixture.
Fertilizer Requirement
Graded fertilizer in moderate doses is what the Echeveria Prolifica needs every month in spring and summer. Over-fertilization is strictly prohibited. Thus, always avoid using strong doses and feeding after the end of summers.
Maintenance Requirement
Older and damaged leaves or rosettes should be removed to keep the plant in good health.
Hardiness Zone
The majority of Echeverias are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11 b.
Echeveria Prolifica Propagation
You can enhance your succulent collection by common methods as stated below:
- Division of offsets.
- Rooting the leaves.
- Propagation by seeds.
Division of offsets:
This is the most common method of Echeveria propagation.
- The plants produce baby plants attached to the parent. These are called offsets, pups, or chicks.
- Simply cut them separate and remove the soil to take them out without damaging the roots.
- Plant in dry well-draining soil and let them grow to become individual plants.
- Spring and summer are ideal times for propagation. Oppositely, plants enjoying a sleeping mode in fall and winter should not be disturbed.
Propagation by Leaf Cuttings:
This is the easiest method. However, it takes a little while for the rosettes to fully develop.
- Just take a few leaves and place them effortlessly on a slightly moist growing mixture.
- Cover the pot with a lid. This will ensure to protect the moisture. However, make sure there are a few holes in the lid to allow air passage.
- Now, you don’t have to do any effort other than wait for the leaves to root. It will take a month or more until you can plant them at your desired spot.
Initial Care:
- The offsets or leaves when planted separately should not stand in drenched soil. Just a few splashes of water for the initial month sound good. Follow it with proper care as stated in the previous section to see your rosettes flourish rapidly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we will cover the common question about the plant.
Is Prolifica a Koreas succulent?
The origin of this plant is a little unclear. Many experts believe it to be a Mexican native plant. However, a few opinions consider it as a Korean hybrid with some anonymous origin.
How do you repot Prolifica?
These peeps do not need frequent repotting. Two years on until the plant looks prominently bigger for the existing pot.
In spring or summer, loosen the soil around the plant. Take it out from the base very gently. Make sure you don’t damage the roots. Afterward, replant it at the new place in dry well-draining soil or growing mixture.
How do you care for Echeveria Prolifica?
As already explained, these are no-fuss plants. Just follow proper watering by drenching the soil and letting it dry before the next. The spot with full to partial sun is where the plant should stay. However, keep it safe from long hours of the direct summer sun.
Summary
Echeveria prolifica is a quick-growing rosette-forming succulent. It has greyish-green petals with pinkish edges, which get a bright blush in full sun.
The plant blooms with beautiful yellowish flowers on long stalks. These fall off quickly to get rooted around the parent. Just the common Echeveria care and see your succulent smiling and healthy!
