Red velvet echeveria is a magnificent succulent plant. This plant is not only easy to grow but it also attracts the eye easily through its distinct appearance and colors. The thick chubby red-tinted leaves with astonishing sizzling red blooms give a peculiar look to the plant.
It makes a perfect indoor potted plant and keeps adorning your office or home throughout the year. However, the charming princess does not like frosting temperature, therefore you must avoid frosting conditions.
Red Velvet Echeveria Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Sub-family: Sempervivoideae
Genus: Echeveria
Features of Red Velvet Echeveria
Leaves:
This perennial shrub possesses simple, thick, fleshy, and puberulent leaves that grow in the form of small rosettes. The leaves having green color with tinges of red on leaf margins gives a distinct look to the whole plant.
Moreover, the surface of the leaves is covered heavily with reddish and white-colored hairs which gives fizzy look to the plant and protects it from harsh sunlight.
Flower:
This evergreen plant possesses orange-colored flowers that bloom during the winter season and last till the spring season. These flowers are attractive to both hummingbirds and pollinators.
Size:
It is a small plant and grows like a shrub. It can grow up to the size of only 12 inches in height.
Growth:
It is a slow-growing plant. All succulent plant lovers preferring this plant have to wait patiently for enjoying its beauty.
Evergreen:
This small shrub belongs to an evergreen community and keeps beautifying its surroundings throughout the year.
Durability:
Like all succulent plants, red velvet echeveria is a strong, resistant, and long-lasting plant.
Maintenance:
Like other family members, this showy succulent is also a low-maintenance plant and thrives spectacularly with only a little care and time. This is the reason these plants are considered the best option for both beginners and experienced folks.
Dormancy:
The winter season act as a dormant season for red velvet echeveria like other succulent plants. This plant goes into a dormant stage during the winter season and cannot tolerate frosting temperatures.
Air purification:
Air purification is one of the most distinctive attributes of all succulent plants that make these plants preferable by health-conscious people.
Like other succulent plants, red velvet echeveria not only removes the toxins from its surroundings but also releases oxygen. This is the reason that this evergreen shrub is considered the best air purifier and tends to make the air worth breathing.
Toxicity:
Another good news about this magnificent succulent plant is its nontoxicity. This succulent plant like its other family members is safe for both pets and children. This is the reason that all plant enthusiasts can easily place this plant anywhere within their house or office.
Red Velvet Echeveria Care
Though red velvet echeveria is very easy to grow, however, there are some care tips that you must consider while caring for this plant.
Temperature Requirement
Red velvet Echeveria is ideal for floor covering especially in rock gardens. Nevertheless, in case you are growing them in the outdoor environment then they yearn for a temperate climate throughout the year.
This succulent plant is very sensitive to freezing temperatures. If you live in an area having extreme winters then you can relish their beauty by growing them in pots.
The only issue while growing these plants in an indoor environment is that they may not get enough light. And this issue can be resolved by placing the pot near the window receiving bright light.
During summers and springs, you must maintain the temperature between 65 and 80°F (18-27°C). And the maximum temperature that can be tolerated by the plant during summers is 19°C or 20°C. While in winters a few degrees lower will be perfect.
Sunlight Requirement
This succulent enjoys both partial and full sun. Though the plant blossoms beautifully in the presence of abundant light, however, scorching light is harmful to the plant. Therefore, during the summer season, you must avoid your plant from the burning sun.
Similarly, the absence of adequate light is also injurious to your plant’s health. The plant starts becoming taller, stretched, and losing its color. The leaves are also scarcely present around the thin stem.
All these symptoms indicate that your plant is not getting enough light and it is stretching itself to get an adequate amount of light. The dramatic changes in the sunlight creating a stressful environment also influence the growth of your plant. Therefore, while moving it from indoor to outdoor environment, you must change its environment gradually.
Water Requirement
Like other succulents, red velvet echeveria is not fond of too much water. During the bloom season, watering once or twice a week thrives it beautifully. While in the case of other seasons, watering it fortnightly is enough for relishing its stunning beauty. During winters watering the plant once a month is fine for the plant.
Moreover, while watering you must ensure that water keeps running through the soil unless it is thoroughly wet. Also, allow the soil to drain all water as these plants are not comfortable in wet soils. You must keep in mind that both excessive and dearth of water is injurious for your plant.
Soil Requirement
A well-draining and porous soil is the most suitable growing medium for this succulent plant. The standard cacti potting mixtures are the best options for growing these plants. And these potting mixtures are easily available within markets. You should also ensure that you choose a pot that has a drainage hole at its bottom for draining the excess water.
Fertilizer Requirement
It is not a foody plant and feeding it sporadically is enough for your plant’s growth. Using a flower plant fertilizer is the most suitable one for blooming your plant. During summers feeding once a month and stopping feeding during winters is highly recommended for enjoying its full beauty.
Pruning Requirement
The red velvet echeveria only requires little pruning. Pruning is only required when it grows excessively in height. In addition to this, removing dead flowers and leaves gives fresh look to the plant. Pruning is not an essential step for this plant; however, it may trigger the plant to generate new flowers.
Repotting Requirement
According to a thumb rule, while growing this plant, you must always choose a pot that is larger than the root ball. This is because a larger pot helps to avoid damp soils that are hated by these plants.
You may repot your plant immediately after buying it if the plant is not flowering at that time. After this, repotting it once a year and changing its potting mixture increases the life of your plant. While repotting always ensure that the new pot is larger than the older one and soil is dried before removing the plant from the pot.
Red Velvet Echeveria Propagation
The love and charm of this succulent plant can be spread easily by propagating it via the stem. For propagating your plant follow these steps:
- Take a healthy stem during the spring season
- Then allow stems to callus on ends for a few days
- Now place the cut end into the soil and keep the soil dry for two weeks
- After this water, the plant adequately and enjoy the charming beauty of this showy succulent plant
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Frequently asked questions
How to assess the health of Echeveria pulvinata red velvet?
While buying this succulent plant, you must look for fat, pert, and green leaves. As these are the signs of echeveria’s good health.
Does echeveria spread?
Echeveria is a slow-growing plant and generally cannot exceed 12 inches in height.
Why is my echeveria becoming tall?
The plant usually stretches itself in the absence of adequate light. Therefore, if your plant is growing taller with scarce leaves around the stem then it means you are not giving enough light to your plant.
Is this succulent plant toxic to pets?
No, this succulent is both pet and human-friendly.
How often should I water my plant?
Generally watering your plant once a week is enough for fulfilling the water requirements of your plant. However, the best way is to check the upper layer of soil. If the upper layer of the soil is dried then your plant needs water at that time.
Can my echeveria survive winters?
The red echeveria can survive only when the temperature is above 40 Fahrenheit degrees. Therefore, you have to protect your plant and transfer it to indoor space if the temperature drops below 40 Fahrenheit degrees.
Final word
Echeveria pulvinata red velvet is one of the easiest to grow. The plant expresses its distinct and charming beauty with only a little care and time.
The air purification quality and nontoxic nature make it a further loveable choice for plant enthusiasts. However, these plants are not frost resistant and you have to protect your charming princess from freezing temperature.
