Why my lovely purple Echeveria is sad? Why did it lose its elegant purple shades? Why did it grow leggy? And other frequent questions that people often ask me about their purple Echeveria care. Based on my experiences the key to growing a healthy purple Echeveria is proper light, water, and drainage. However, overfertilization, improper temperatures and some pests and diseases can also cause problems.
Hi, I’m a horticultural consultant (I have a PhD in plant protection Science) and indoor plants are my speciality. In this post, I want to answer the most frequent problems of purple Echeveria care. By following my expert tips, I’m sure you’ll be well on your way to cultivating a stunning purple Echeveria. However, if you have any questions after reading this post, please ask me in the comments or on my Instagram page (inhouseplant2017). Let’s go.
Best Purple Echeveria Varieties
If you are a beginner and want to add them to your small indoor plant collection, I provided a list of the most popular purple Echeveria varieties to get you started:
- Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’: I strongly recommend this beauty. It is known for its striking purple-pink rosettes. I love it.
- Echeveria ‘Black Prince’: If you are looking for an elegant dark purple Echeveria, this variety boasts deep purple to almost black leaves. Add it to your indoor décor and enjoy its beauty.
- Echeveria ‘Lola’: Most lovely! This Offers a beautiful combination of pink and purple hues to your indoor décor. Very nice.
Well, now is turn of discussing about caring for of these stunning small succulents. Last’s go.
Pro Tips for Caring for Purple Echeverias
Here are some expert tips to help your purple Echeveria thrive:
Light and Placement
- Maximize sunlight: Purple Echeverias crave bright, direct sunlight. Aim for at least 6 hours daily.
- Beware of sunburn: Intense afternoon sun can burn leaves. Provide shade during the hottest part of the day.
- Indoor care: If indoors, place near a south-facing window. Consider supplemental grow lights during winter.
Watering Wisdom
- Underwater rather than overwater: These succulents prefer dry conditions. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
- Deep watering: When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly.
- Check root rot: Regularly inspect for signs of root rot (soft, mushy roots). Repot if necessary.
Soil Selection
- Prioritize drainage: Use a well-draining soil mix specifically formulated for succulents.
- Add perlite or pumice: Improve drainage and aeration by adding these materials to your soil.
Temperature and Humidity
- Cool nights: Cooler temperatures can intensify purple coloration.
- Low humidity: Echeverias prefer dry environments. Avoid misting.
Fertilization Finesse
- Less is more: Feed sparingly with a diluted indoor plant fertilizer during the growing season.
- Avoid over-fertilization: Too much fertilizer can lead to leggy growth and root burn.
Due to importance of fertilizing, I will discuss it in detail in the next parts.
Propagation Proficiency
- Leaf cuttings: Propagate easily by removing healthy leaves and allowing them to callus before planting.
- Offset pups: Gently separate offsets from the mother plant and pot individually.
Pest and Disease Prevention
- Regular inspection: Check for pests like mealybugs, scales, and other tiny bugs on houseplants regularly.
- Isolate new plants: Quarantine new plants to prevent infestations.
- Proper ventilation: Improve air circulation to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
My Golden Tips for Your Purple Echeveria Care
- Handle with care: Avoid touching the powdery coating (farina) on leaves.
- Repotting: Repot every 1-2 years to refresh soil and prevent root-bound issues.
- Winter care: Reduce watering during winter dormancy.
How to Keep Your Echeveria Purple?
According to my tests, the vibrant purple hue of Echeverias is often a result of optimal growing conditions. Here’s how to maintain that stunning colour:
Light: The Key to Purple
- Ample Sunlight: Most purple Echeverias thrive in bright, direct sunlight. This is crucial for producing the anthocyanin pigments responsible for the purple colour.
- Balance is Key: While sunlight is essential, too much intense summer sun can cause the leaves to turn red instead of purple. Consider providing some shade during the hottest part of the day.
Water: Less is More
- Allow Soil to Dry: Echeverias are succulents, meaning they store water in their leaves. Overwatering can lead to root rot and loss of color. Let the soil dry completely between waterings.
- Deep Watering: When you do water, ensure it’s a deep soaking, allowing excess water to drain freely.
Temperature and Humidity
- Cool Nights: Cooler night temperatures can intensify the purple colour.
- Low Humidity: Echeverias prefer low-humidity environments. Avoid misting or placing them in humid areas.
Fertilizer
- Moderate Feeding: Use a diluted, balanced fertilizer specifically for succulents during the growing season (spring and summer). Over-fertilization can affect the colour.
Additional Tips for Keep Your Echeveria Purple
- Protect from Frost: Echeverias are sensitive to frost. Bring them indoors or protect them during cold weather.
- Handle with Care: The powdery coating (farina) on Echeveria leaves helps protect the plant. Avoid touching the leaves as much as possible, as it can be difficult to restore.
By following these guidelines, you can maximize the chances of your Echeveria retaining its beautiful purple colouration. Remember, each plant is unique, so observe your specific Echeveria and adjust your care accordingly.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Purple Echeverias Care
Purple Echeverias are stunning plants, but they can sometimes encounter issues. Here are some common problems and solutions based on my experiences:
Problem: Loss of Purple Color of Purple Echeverias
- Insufficient Sunlight: Purple coloration is often triggered by intense sunlight. Increase light exposure gradually to avoid sunburn.
- Overwatering: Excess water can dilute the pigments. Allow soil to dry completely before watering.
- Nutrient Deficiency: Ensure your plant is receiving adequate nutrients. Use a balanced succulent fertilizer during the growing season.
Problem: Stretching and Leggy Growth of Purple Echeverias
- Low Light: Echeverias need ample sunlight to maintain a compact shape. Increase light exposure.
- Overwatering: Excessive water can cause weak growth. Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
Problem: Root Rot of Purple Echeverias
- Overwatering: The most common cause of root rot. Allow soil to dry completely before watering.
- Poor Drainage: Ensure your pot has drainage holes and use a well-draining soil mix.
- Repotting: If root rot is suspected, remove the plant, trim away rotten roots, and repot in fresh, dry soil.
Problem: Pests and Diseases of Purple Echeverias
- Mealybugs: These cotton-like insects can infest plants. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat.
- Scale Insects: These small, hard insects can be removed manually or treated with insecticidal soap.
- Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease appears as a white powdery coating. Improve air circulation and reduce humidity.
Problem: Sunburn of Purple Echeverias
- Sudden Exposure: Moving a plant to full sun too quickly can cause sunburn. Acclimate it gradually.
- Symptoms: Brown or reddish spots on leaves.
Problem: Edema of Purple Echeverias
- Overwatering: This condition causes corky bumps on leaves. Reduce watering frequency and improve drainage.
➡ Patience is key when caring for Echeverias. These plants can be slow growers, and it may take time to achieve the desired purple colour. Read my other post about the problems of Echeveria agavoids.
How to Fertilize My Purple Echeveria?
Based on my experiences less is often more when fertilizing succulents. Over-fertilization can lead to leggy growth and even root burn. Most people who contact me and complain about purple Echeveria care have hit their plant by overfertilization or overwatering.
Best Fertilizer for Purple Echeverias
Succulents have adapted to survive in nutrient-poor environments. Therefore, they require a specific balance of nutrients to thrive.
The NPK Ratio
Fertilizers are often labeled with an NPK ratio, which represents the percentage of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the product.
- Nitrogen (N): Promotes leaf growth. Too much nitrogen can lead to leggy growth and reduce bloom production.
- Phosphorus (P): Encourages root development and flower production.
- Potassium (K): Supports overall plant health, including disease resistance.
Ideal Balance for Succulents
A well-balanced fertilizer for succulents typically has a low nitrogen content and moderate levels of phosphorus and potassium. A common ratio is 1-1-1 or 2-1-1.
Other types of fertilizer for Purple Echeveria are:
- Slow-release fertilizers: These are ideal for succulents as they provide a steady supply of nutrients without overwhelming the plant.
- Organic fertilizers: These can be a good option, but they may not provide the exact nutrient balance needed for succulents.
- Succulent-specific fertilizers: These are formulated with the right balance of nutrients for succulent needs.
A Breakdown of Fertilizing My Purple Echeveria:
- Low Nitrogen: This prevents excessive leaf growth and maintains the compact shape of succulents.
- Moderate Phosphorus: Supports root development, which is crucial for succulents to absorb water and nutrients efficiently.
- Moderate Potassium: Enhances overall plant health and stress tolerance.
Tips for Fertilizing:
- Dilute the fertilizer: Always dilute the fertilizer to half or even quarter strength of the recommended dosage.
- Fertilize sparingly: Feed your Echeveria once or twice during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing in autumn and winter when the plant is dormant.
- Water before fertilizing: This helps prevent fertilizer burn.
- Observe your plant: If your Echeveria is growing healthily and producing new leaves, it may not need additional fertilizer.
- The key to a healthy purple Echeveria is proper light, water, and drainage. Fertilizer is a supplement, not a replacement for these essential care factors.
Conclusion
Please answer the first questions of this post now. I’m sure you can do it correctly. I hope you have found out the reasons for the leggy growth of your lovely plant. now, you know pro tips for your purple Echeveria care from watering to the best place to put it. you know how to take care of it to keep its purple shades.
I told you about fertilizing your purple Echeveria to keep it healthy and save its colours. I also told you about mealybugs and other tiny bugs in your houseplant and showed you how to get rid of them. Now, you can save your purple echeveria from root rot. You know how to provide proper light for it while keeping it away from sunburn.
Please tell me about your experiences. I will be happy when people ask me about their plants. please tell me about them in the comments and follow me on Instagram (inhouseplant2017) and YouTube.
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.