Crassulaceae
Prolific Echeveria (Echeveria prolifica)
Echeveria prolifica
An easy succulent: lots of light, gritty fast-draining mix and water only when dry. It will not survive a hard frost (minimum about -1 °C). Safe for pets.
Every 10 days
Bright indirect
-1° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Prolific echeveria?
Prolific echeveria (Echeveria prolifica) is a easy-care plant from the Crassulaceae family. Echeveria prolifica is a Mexican succulent from the state of Puebla, described in 1978 by Reid Moran and Jorge Meyrán from plants bought at a roadside nursery. It forms small rosettes 8 to 10 cm across of fleshy, silvery blue-green leaves dusted with white farina, flushing pink in strong sun. It liv...
Prolific echeveria grows up to 20cm, spread of 60cm, watering every 10 days. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Prolific echeveria tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Prolific echeveria is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 20 days.
How to Care for Prolific echeveria?
TLDR: Prolific echeveria needs Bright indirect, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between -1-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Prolific echeveria?
Water deeply until it runs out of the drainage hole, then wait until the mix is completely dry, roughly every 10 days in warm weather and much less in winter. Do not leave water sitting in the rosette, or it will rot.
How Much Light Does Prolific echeveria Need?
Full sun or morning sun outdoors; indoors, your brightest window or a grow light for 12 to 14 hours. In low light the rosette stretches and loses colour.
What Is the Best Soil for Prolific echeveria?
Cactus and succulent mix with 50 to 70% mineral grit (coarse sand, grit, pumice or perlite).
What Pot Should You Use for Prolific echeveria?
A wide, shallow terracotta pot with a drainage hole; it spreads into a mat and spills over the rim.
What Is Prolific echeveria and Where Does It Come From?
Echeveria prolifica is a Mexican succulent from the state of Puebla, described in 1978 by Reid Moran and Jorge Meyrán from plants bought at a roadside nursery. It forms small rosettes 8 to 10 cm across of fleshy, silvery blue-green leaves dusted with white farina, flushing pink in strong sun. It lives up to its name: it makes offsets at the base and stolons that root as they go, quickly building a low mat 30 to 60 cm wide. From late winter to spring it sends up stalks of yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. The bracts that drop from the stalks root and become new plants.
How to Propagate Prolific echeveria?
Offsets and stolons
Stolons root by themselves where they touch the soil; just separate them afterwards.
- 1 Cut an offset at least 2-3 cm across with a piece of stolon
- 2 Let it callus in the shade for 1 to 2 days
- 3 Set it on dry succulent mix
- 4 Start watering lightly once roots appear
Materials needed:
Leaf or bract
The leaf must come off whole, base included, to root.
- 1 Twist off a whole leaf or collect the bracts that fall from the flower stalk
- 2 Let it dry for 1 to 2 days
- 3 Lay it on dry succulent mix in bright, indirect light
- 4 Mist lightly once roots and a tiny rosette appear
Materials needed:
How Big Does Prolific echeveria Grow?
TLDR: Prolific echeveria can reach up to 20cm tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
20cm
Spread
60cm
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Prolific echeveria?
TLDR: Prolific echeveria is susceptible to 5 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects covered with a white, waxy, cottony material. They are common pests of houseplants and outdoor plants in mild climates. These sap-sucking insects feed on plant tissue, causing damage, stunted growth, and can lead to plant death if left untreated. They produce sticky honeydew which attracts sooty mold.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Curculionidae
Curculionidae (weevils) are small beetles that feed on plants. Adults chew leaf margins, leaving crescent-shaped notches, primarily at night. The larvae live in the substrate and consume roots, causing decline, yellowing, and wilting even when the substrate is moist, and in severe cases, plant death. They frequently affect ornamentals and garden plants such as strawberries, citrus, roses, hydrangeas, azaleas, blueberries, begonias, and many potted plants.
Fun Facts
It was described from plants bought at a roadside nursery in Mexico in 1969.
The bracts that drop from its flower stalk root and grow into new plants.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water prolific echeveria?
Is it toxic to cats and dogs?
Why is my echeveria stretching?
How do I propagate it?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
