Let us introduce you to Echeveria Strictiflora, a unique succulent with a swoon-worthy appearance. These sedums, native to Mexico’s Chihuahuan Desert and Southern Texas, have a glaucous, pale blue rosette with wavy, waxy leaves (farina).
This guide will provide all the information you need about this Succulent, including statistics and recommendations on how to care for it so it thrives for years to come. Let’s begin.
Echeveria Strictiflora Classification
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Genus: Echeveria
- Species: Strictiflora
About:
Echeveria Strictiflora is a one-of-a-kind perennial succulent that can effortlessly add beauty to any setting due to its striking appearance. It is a member of the Crassulaceae family and is native to the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico and Southern Texas in the United States.
This sedum has glaucous, pale blue rosettes with wavy leaves that are covered in powdery wax (farina). The plant can grow up to 6 inches tall and wide. It is a slow-growing plant, but it can eventually reach a height and width of up to 6 inches.
When mature, the plant will produce small, yellow flowers. Summer is the blooming season for its unbranched flowers. The outside petals of these flowers are a yellowish red, while the inner petals are an orangey hue.
Common Name And Synonym
The most common name for this succulent is “Strictiflora Echeveria”, but it is also known as “Desert’s Saviour’. Another synonym for this succulent is Cotyledon strictiflora.
Echeveria Strictiflora Features
Size and Growth Rate
As mentioned before, Echeveria Strictiflora is a slow-growing succulent. It will reach a height and width of about 6 inches when fully mature. The plant’s growth rate is determined by the amount of sunlight it receives, the quality of the soil, and the frequency of watering.
Growth Habit
Echeveria Strictiflora has a rosette growth habit. The plant will form a tight rosette of leaves at the center, and new leaves will grow out from the center as the plant matures.
Foliage
The leaves of this Echeveria are its most striking feature. They are glaucous, pale blue, and covered in powdery wax (farina). The leaves are also slightly wavy and pointed upwards.
The rosettes of these succulents often lack or have very short stems. The majority of the leaves are brownish-green or greyish-green. The margins of some of these succulents are red, while others are not.
The edges of the leaves are serrated, and the tips are pointed. The leaves grow up to 3.6 inches long and 0.8 inches wide.
Flowers & Fragrance
Echeveria Strictiflora produces small, yellow flowers. The blooming season for these unbranched flowers is summer. The outer petals of the flowers are a yellowish red, while the inner petals are an orangey hue.
The flowers grow on short stems that emerge from the center of the rosette. The flowers are tubular and have five petals. They are about 0.4 inches long and 0.2 inches wide.
The plant blooms for about 2 to 3 weeks, after which the flowers will wilt and fall off. Unfortunately, these flowers don’t have any prominent fragrance.
Lifespan
It is a perennial succulent, meaning it can live for more than two years. With proper care, these plants can thrive for many years.
Habitat
Echeveria Strictiflora is native to the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico and Southern Texas in the United States. The plant grows in arid and semi-arid regions. It can also be found in scrublands, grasslands, and woodlands.
The plant can take some shade but loves to grow in full sunlight. It does not like to be overwatered and needs well-drained soil.
Toxicity
It is not toxic to humans or animals and thus a safe succulent to plant indoors.
Maintenance
Echeveria Strictiflora is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for. The succulent does not require much water and can tolerate drought conditions. It is best to water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch.
Drought Tolerance
It is a drought-tolerant plant that can survive for long periods without water. The plant stores water in its leaves, which helps it survive during dry spells.
Uses
Echeveria Strictiflora is commonly used as an ornamental plant. The plant is also used in landscaping and for xeriscaping. It can be planted indoors or outdoors and does not require much care. The plants can withstand a variety of temperatures, making them ideal for use in succulent gardens.
Dormancy
It is a winter-dormant plant and will go dormant in the winter months. The plant will stop growing and producing new leaves during this time.
During dormancy, the plant will still need to be watered, but not as frequently as during the growing season. It is best to water the plant only when the soil is completely dry.
Hardiness Zone
This plant is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11.
Echeveria Strictiflora Care
Echeveria Strictiflora is a beautiful plant that would look great in any garden or lawn. Like any other sedum, this desert’s savior needs the right care and climate to grow well. In this section, we’ve covered everything you might want to know about this plant.
Quick Care Guide:
| Water | When the soil feels dry |
| Light | Bright sunlight |
| Humidity | Average – Low humidity |
| Fertilizer | Only if needed |
| Repotting | Larger pot to plant, every 2-3 years |
| Soil | A moist, well-draining soil |
| Grooming & Pruning | Only when needed |
| Placing | A bright and airy place |
Water Requirements
Like most succulents, Echeveria strictiflora doesn’t need a lot of water because the water is stored in its fleshy leaves. Before you water your plant, wait until the soil is completely dry. Then, give it a good swig of water and make sure the extra water drains out of the pot.
If you water your plant too much or too little, the leaves will start to wilt, wrinkle, and fall off. But it’s better to water them too little than too much because if they get too much water, their roots can rot quickly. With this in mind, you should never keep it in soil that is too wet.
When you water the plant, you should always water the soil directly and never let water sit on the succulent’s rosette, which can cause rot and fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Echeveria strictiflora needs a lot of light to grow and stay healthy. At least four to five hours of bright, direct light should reach them every day. Putting your plant outside in the summer will help it grow and do well.
If the plant doesn’t get enough light, it will grow long and leggy, often “reaching” for the nearest light source. They are also not likely to grow flowers. If your plant is placed on a window ledge, turn it now and then to make sure all of its sides get enough sun.
But remember, this is only ideal for 4-5 hours. Keeping your succulent in direct, scorching sunlight for hours can cause sunburn to its leaves.
Soil Requirement
This plant needs well-drained, sandy soil to grow and stay healthy. The best type of soil to use is a cactus mix or you can make your own by mixing two parts sand with one part potting soil.
Never use regular potting soil because it doesn’t drain well and will hold too much water, which can lead to root rot. If the pot doesn’t have drainage holes, make sure to add some before planting your Echeveria strictiflora.
Temperature Requirement
This echeveria is a heat-loving plant and does best in warm climates. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit but will not do well in temperatures below that.
If you live in a cold climate, it’s best to plant your Echeveria in a pot so you can move it indoors when the weather gets too cold.
Humidity Requirement
The plant grows best in dry, sunny environments. The appropriate level of humidity for the cultivation of Echeveria stritiflora can normally be achieved in an indoor setting under typical conditions.
Take precautions to prevent introducing an excessive amount of moisture; for example, don’t mist the plants, don’t put them on a pebble tray, and don’t have a humidifier in the same room as them.
Additionally, ensure that your succulent is kept separate from other plants that demand a high level of humidity. You should instead include them in the same category as cacti and other plant species that can withstand dry conditions.
Fertilizer Requirement
Echeveria strictiflora doesn’t need a lot of fertilizer to grow and stay healthy. Too much fertilizer can do more harm than good. Fertilize your plant once a year in the spring using a cactus or succulent fertilizer.
Pruning Requirement
This plant doesn’t need to be pruned, but if you want to, you can trim off any dead leaves or stems. To do this, use a sharp knife or shears and make sure to disinfect the blades with rubbing alcohol before and after use.
Placing Requirement
Echeveria strictiflora can be placed in direct sunlight or partial shade. It’s best to avoid full shade because the plant will become etiolated, or stretched out.
When choosing a spot for your plant, make sure it gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Also, avoid places like the kitchen or bathroom to avoid high humidity levels.
Repotting Requirement
The plant doesn’t need to be repotted often, but it will need to be done every few years. The best time to repot is in the spring.
When repotting, use a well-draining potting mix and a pot that is slightly larger than the plant. Be sure to water the plant well after repotting.
Echeveria Strictiflora Propagation
Echeveria strictiflora can be propagated by seeds, leaf cuttings or offsets.
To propagate by seed, plant the seeds in well-drained, sandy soil and keep them moist but not wet. The best time to plant them is in the spring.
Offsets can be removed from the parent plant and replanted in new pots. To do this, carefully remove the offset with a sharp knife or shears. Allow the offset to callous over for a few days before replanting it.
To propagate by leaf cuttings, cut a healthy leaf from the plant using a sharp knife or shears. Allow the leaf to callous over for a few days before planting it in well-drained, sandy soil.
Pests and Diseases
Echeveria strictiflora is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but mealybugs, aphids, and root rot can still be a problem.
Mealybugs are tiny, white pests that suck the fluids of the plant. Spraying the plant with water or using insecticidal soap will help you get rid of them.
Next are small Aphids, green pests that suck the juices out of plants. They can be controlled by spraying the plant with water or using neem oil.
Root rot is a disease that can be caused by too much water or humid conditions. It can be controlled by allowing the soil to dry out between watering and keeping the plant in a well-ventilated area.
Conclusion
Echeveria strictiflora is a beautiful succulent that is easy to care for. It can be propagated by seeds, offsets, or leaf cuttings. With proper care, it will grow and thrive for many years.
