Echeveria Elegans
Echeveria elegans
Known as the 'Mexican Snowball' for its perfect pale blue-green rosettes covered in a powdery bloom that gives them an ethereal, frosted appearance. This stunning succulent produces tall spikes of coral-pink bell-shaped flowers that create a beautiful contrast against the silvery foliage. It's one of the most photogenic succulents and forms attractive clusters over time, making it perfect for containers and rock gardens.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
9–11
USDA hardiness
Difficulty
Easy
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Leaf Cutting.
Harvesting
Inconspicuous capsules
Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: Spring, Winter
History & Origin
Origin: NE Mexico to Veracruz
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat
- +Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Sedum varieties
Similar water and light requirements, complementary textures and colors
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Matching drought tolerance and care needs, creates harmonious succulent display
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum)
Similar rosette form and water requirements, provides textural contrast
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Complementary trailing habit, same low water needs and bright light preference
Aloe varieties
Shared preference for well-draining soil and infrequent watering
Haworthia species
Similar care requirements and growth habits, creates varied succulent arrangement
Stonecrop (Sedum acre)
Ground cover that shares water and soil preferences, adds textural interest
Agave species
Compatible drought tolerance and sun requirements, provides architectural contrast
Keep Apart
Mint
Requires frequent watering which can cause root rot in drought-adapted Echeveria
Ferns
Need high humidity and consistent moisture, opposite to Echeveria's dry conditions
Impatiens
Require regular watering and partial shade, incompatible with succulent care needs
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance when grown in proper conditions
Common Pests
Aphids on flower stalks, mealybugs, slugs and snails
Diseases
Root rot from overwatering, leaf rot from water sitting on leaves