Care of the succulent plant Echeveria agavoides or Lipstick Echeveria |
The genus Echeveria, family Crassulaceae, includes 400 species of succulent plants native to Central America, Mexico and northwestern South America. Some species are: Echeveria agavoides, Echeveria elegans, Echeveria glauca, Echeveria runyonii, Echeveria setosa, Echeveria pilosa, Echeveria pulvinata, Echeveria gibbiflora, Echeveria shaviana, Echeveria derenbergii. Common names: Lipstick Echeveria, Molded wax agave. This species is native to San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Guanajuato and Durango (Mexico). They are small stemless succulent plants that reach 15 cm (5.9") in height. They form beautiful rosettes of light green fleshy leaves ending in a prominent tip. Red bell-shaped flowers with yellow tips appear on the pink flower stems. They bloom in spring and early summer. Lipstick Echeveria is used on borders of succulent plants, in rockery, in cactus gardens and in pots in homes and greenhouses. It's ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens and for big cities due to its tolerance to pollution. It's a slow growing plant. Echeveria agavoides prefers full sun exposure but can also be grown in semi-shade. The temperatures must not be lower than 2 ºC (35.6 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture of 75% leaf mulch and 25% coarse siliceous sand. Water moderately at the rate of once every 4-5 days in summer; water every 8-10 days in autumn and spring; in winter reduce watering to a minimum or suspend it if it's very cold. Molded wax agave does not need pruning or fertilizers. Echeveria agavoides does not resist excess moisture but is resistant to pests. Lipstick Echeveria propagates by cuttings of leaves or by separation of suckers. |
Images of the succulent plant Echeveria agavoides or Lipstick Echeveria |