Can Echeverias grow training? Yes, a trailing Echeveria like Echeveria harmsii, Echeveria setosa, Echeveria lilacina, Echeveria elegans, and Echeveria derenbergii, is a captivating addition to any succulent collection.
Hi, I’m a horticultural consultant and today want to give you a list of Echeverias with long stems which are adorned with vibrant rosettes of fleshy leaves. They create a stunning and unique display. Let’s get going.
Trailing echeveria plants can offer a touch of elegance and interest to your indoor and outdoor spaces. Whether you prefer the powdery-blue leaves of Echeveria lilacina or the fiery tips of Echeveria setosa, here is a trailing Echeveria plant to suit every taste and indoor decor.
Some of them are more trailing and some need special care tips to grow cascading. Anyway, I think their trailing habit makes them perfect for containers and hanging baskets. I admire their rosettes and the contrasting colors of their leaves and blooms. Trailing Echeverias are examples of the beauty of succulent plants.
Trailing Echeveria Plants
While Echeveria plants are primarily known for their rosette shapes, there are a few varieties that exhibit trailing growth habits. Here are some popular options:
1. Trailing Echeveria harmsii
Trailing growth: long, cascading stems and vibrant leaf color.
Echeveria harmsii is indeed a trailing succulent. It is known for its long, cascading stems that can grow quite lengthy. The stems are adorned with rosettes of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves that are typically a vibrant green or bluish-green.
Echeveria harmsii is a popular choice for hanging baskets or as a cascading plant in containers. Its trailing habit adds a touch of elegance and interest to any succulent collection.
- Trailing Habit: Echeveria harmsii is known for its long, slender stems that can grow quite lengthy, making it ideal for hanging baskets or as a cascading plant.
- Rosette Formation: Along the stems, it forms compact, rosette-shaped clusters of leaves.
- Leaf Shape: The leaves are typically spoon-shaped or spatulate, adding to the plant’s unique appearance.
- Leaf Color: The leaves are often a vibrant green or bluish-green, sometimes with a slight powdery coating.
- Blooms: During the growing season, Echeveria harmsii produces tall flower stalks with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are typically pink or red.
2. Trailing Echeveria setosa (Mexican Firecracker)
Trailing growth: Forms long, trailing stems with rosettes of fuzzy, red-tipped leaves.
Echeveria setosa, also known as the Mexican Firecracker, is a captivating succulent that boasts a unique appearance. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
- Rosette Formation: It forms compact, rosette-shaped clusters of leaves.
- Leaf Color: The leaves are typically a vibrant green, often with a silvery or frosted coating. However, they can develop striking reddish or orange tips, especially under intense sunlight.
- Leaf Texture: The leaves are covered in tiny, delicate hairs, giving them a velvety texture.
- Trailing Habit: While not strictly a trailing plant, Echeveria setosa can develop long, trailing stems over time, especially if not repotted regularly.
- Blooms: During the growing season, it produces tall flower stalks with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are often a combination of yellow and red.
3. Trailing Echeveria lilacina
Trailing growth: Develops long, slender stems with rosettes of powdery-blue leaves.
Echeveria lilacina is a stunning succulent known for its powdery-blue leaves and elegant appearance. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
- Rosette Formation: It forms compact, rosette-shaped clusters of leaves.
- Leaf Color: The leaves are typically a vibrant blue or bluish-green, often with a powdery coating that helps protect them from the sun.
- Leaf Texture: The leaves are thick and fleshy, with a smooth texture.
- Trailing Habit: Echeveria lilacina is a trailing succulent, meaning it can develop long, slender stems that cascade over the edges of pots or containers.
- Blooms: During the growing season, it produces tall flower stalks with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are often a combination of pink and red.
4. Trailing Echeveria elegans (Ghost Echeveria)
Trailing growth: While not strictly trailing, can develop long stems if not repotted regularly.
Echeveria elegans, also known as the Ghost Echeveria, is a beautiful succulent characterized by its pale, almost translucent leaves. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
- Rosette Formation: It forms compact, rosette-shaped clusters of leaves.
- Leaf Color: The leaves are typically a pale green or bluish-green, often with a powdery or frosted coating. They can appear almost translucent in certain lighting conditions.
- Leaf Texture: The leaves are thick and fleshy, with a smooth texture.
- Trailing Habit: While not strictly a trailing plant, Echeveria elegans can develop long stems if not repotted regularly.
- Blooms: During the growing season, it produces tall flower stalks with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are often a combination of pink and red.
5. Trailing Echeveria derenbergii (Mexican Snowball)
Trailing growth: Can develop trailing stems with rosettes of powdery-white leaves.
Echeveria derenbergii, also known as the Mexican Snowball, is a charming succulent with a powdery, white appearance. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
- Rosette Formation: It forms compact, rosette-shaped clusters of leaves.
- Leaf Color: The leaves are typically a vibrant green, often with a thick, powdery coating that gives them a snowy or frosted appearance.
- Leaf Texture: The leaves are thick and fleshy, with a smooth texture.
- Trailing Habit: While not strictly a trailing plant, Echeveria derenbergii can develop long stems if not repotted regularly.
- Blooms: During the growing season, it produces tall flower stalks with clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are often a combination of pink and red.
Caring Tips for Trailing Echeveria Plants
To encourage trailing growth in your Echeveria plants, consider the following care tips:
Light:
- Bright, indirect light: Provide your plants with ample bright, indirect light. This will promote healthy growth and encourage the development of longer stems. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves.
Watering:
- Allow soil to dry out completely: Echeveria plants prefer their soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot and prevent healthy growth.
- Water deeply: When you do water, water deeply until excess water drains from the pot. This ensures that the roots are thoroughly hydrated.
Potting Mix:
- Well-draining soil: Use a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for succulents or cacti. This will help prevent root rot and ensure proper drainage.
Fertilizing:
- Fertilize sparingly: Echeveria plants are light feeders. Fertilize them once or twice during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Read my other post about the best fertilizer for houseplants.
Pruning:
- Prune selectively: To encourage trailing growth, you can selectively prune your Echeveria plants. Remove any dead or damaged leaves and shorten long, leggy stems. This will promote new growth and a bushier appearance.
Repotting:
- Repot every 1-2 years: As your Echeveria plants grow, repot them every 1-2 years into a slightly larger pot. This will provide them with fresh soil and adequate space for their roots.
Temperature:
- Warm temperatures: Echeveria plants prefer warm temperatures. Avoid exposing them to frost or extreme cold.
Conclusion
Which one of these trailing echeveria plants is more interesting for you? Echeveria harmsii, Echeveria setosa, Echeveria lilacina, Echeveria elegans, or Echeveria derenbergii? I love to have all of them. A hanging basket of a collection of these babies can be fantastic. Nice!
Some people complain their Echeveria grow leggy which makes it ugly. However, it can be OK for trailing echeveria plants but I discussed it in my other posts and told you how to fix it:
Please contact me in the comments and on Instagram (Inhouseplant2017). You can ask me your questions, Send pics of your plants and share your experiences and ideas.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.