Echeveria Lilacina

Echeveria Lilacina ‘Ghost Echeveria’

Who said succulents had to be boring? Echeveria lilacina, also called Ghost Echeveria, is an ideal example of how gorgeous succulents can be. With its rosette-shaped plump leaves and hints of green, grey, and lilac shades, Echeveria lilacina is Mexican in origin.

The origin is enough to give you an idea of its typical conditions. It grows between the temperatures of 18-27°C, with extremely low water intake. Here is a general breakdown of how you can care for and propagate these beauties in your yards and gardens.

How to care for Echeveria Lilacina

These succulents are not only pretty but also hard-core. It means that you only need to take care of its general needs like water, potting, and light exposure, and enjoy attractive, blooming Echeverias all year long. It also produces coral pink flowers on long stalks, adding to the beauty.

1. Soil

These plants thrive well in the ground as well as pots. You can choose to plant it as you wish. However, make sure you are using the right soil and pots for this purpose. These succulents usually do not grow bigger than 8 inches in height and 12 inches in width. Hence, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the rosette.

The soil should be porous and well-draining since Echeverias are easily susceptible to diseases in water-clogged soil.

2. Watering

Watering is the most crucial factor in taking care of succulents, especially Echeverias. Experienced gardeners prefer the soak and dry rule for its watering. This is done by watering the succulents and then letting the soil dry before the next watering.

Make sure you are watering from below directly to the soil, and no water sits on the leaves rosette. This reduces the risk of rotten leaves, ultimately giving you a fresh, blooming plant.

3. Light Exposure

Since Echeverias originate from Mexico, they like hot, sunny conditions. They require full sun to partial shade if you are growing them outdoors; and a bright, sunny window if grown indoors.

The more sunlight they get, the better they perform. If you live in a cold atmosphere, you can bring your succulents indoors during winters. Make sure you gradually transfer them back outdoors once the frost passes; otherwise, the summer afternoon heat will burn them.

How to propagate Echeveria lilacina

Echeverias are one of the easiest succulents to propagate. The most common way of breeding them is through offsets. You only need to separate it from the mother plant and grow it in a separate pot. However, there are chances your succulent will not produce offsets. What then?

Well, you can always propagate them through leaves, seeds, and stem cuttings. These methods produce excellent breeds as well.

Leaves

Choose some healthy, plump-looking leaves from the mother plant. Gently twist them to detach from the base, ensuring no part is left behind. Place the leaves in a warm, dry place for the base to callous. After that, place it in well-draining soil, away from direct sunlight until roots form. Spray water when the soil seems dry.

1. Stem Cuttings:

Cut a leaf just above the soil with the help of a knife or scissors. Allow it to be callous and dry before repotting it in a separate pot. Water only when the soil is dry, and you will see roots growing in no time.

2. Seeds:

You can collect seeds after the Echeveria flowers close. Once you collect the seeds, grow them like you would grow regular plants. Sow the seeds during summer or spring for better growth.

Conclusion

Echeverias make excellent indoor as well as outdoor decorative plants. With proper care, you can easily grow these pretty succulents at your place. They make fantastic gifts, so if you manage to propagate more of these out of the existing ones, gift them to your loved ones.

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