Echeveria harmsii is very similar to the Echeveria pulvinate “Frosty”; both plants have grey-green to bluish leaves with a farina coat. However, in “Echeveria harmsii vs pulvinate”, the Pulvinate grows more compact and produces more pink flowers, but Harmsii is taller and produces orange to red flowers.
Echeveria harmsii is an indoor succulent with vibrant green, fleshy leaves arranged in a symmetrical rosette, featuring a unique, slightly pointed tip and producing tall, colourful flower stalks adorned with tubular orange to red blooms.”
Echeveria pulvinate have several varieties, three of which are colourful (Rose, Ruby, and Devotion), and the Frosty have green silver leaves. I discussed its colourful varieties in my other post (Echeveria devotion vs Pulvinata); here, I will compare Echeveria pulvinate “Frosty” with Echeveria harmsii.
Echeveria pulvinate “Frosty” is a charming, small succulent with compact, velvety rosettes of pale blue to greyish-green leaves covered in a soft, frosty farina, giving it a unique, plush appearance. (Read my other post about blue types of Echeverias)
Echeveria harmsii: A Vibrant, Small Succulent
Echeveria harmsii is a striking succulent known for its unique appearance. Here are some key features. You can use the below characteristics for Echeveria harmsii vs pulvinate.
- Leaves: The plant has thick, fleshy leaves that are typically a vibrant green to bluish-green colour. The leaves are often covered with a fine layer of white powdery coating (farina), giving them a frosted look. Their leaf arrangement is in a rosette formation, and has a slightly pointed tip.
- Shape: The rosettes can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and can grow taller with age, depending on the growing conditions.
- Flowers: Echeveria harmsii produces tall flower stalks that can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm). The flowers are tubular and can vary in colour from orange to red, attracting pollinators when in bloom.
- Overall size: This succulent typically grows to a height of about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm), making it a good choice for both indoor and outdoor gardens.
Echeveria harmsii’s attractive foliage and vibrant flowers make it a popular choice among succulent enthusiasts.
Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’: A Plush Echeveria
Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ is a captivating succulent with distinctive features. The following features help you for Echeveria harmsii vs pulvinate.
- Leaves: The leaves are thick, fleshy, and usually pale blue to greyish-green in colour. They have a frosted appearance due to a fine, powdery coating of white farina that covers them, giving the plant its name. The leaves are rounded and somewhat thickened, with a soft, velvety texture.
- Shape: The rosettes of Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ are typically compact and symmetrical. They can grow to a size of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) in diameter.
- Growth Habit: The plant has a more compact and somewhat squat growth habit compared to some other Echeverias, making it a good choice for small spaces or containers.
- Flowers: When in bloom, it produces slender flower stalks with tubular, bell-shaped flowers. These flowers are usually in shades of pink to coral, adding a splash of colour to the plant.
Overall, Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ is admired for its unique leaf texture and attractive colouration, making it a standout in succulent collections.
Echeveria harmsii vs pulvinate
Here, I provided a comparison of Echeveria harmsii and Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ based on several key characteristics:
Feature | Echeveria harmsii | Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ |
Leaf Color | Vibrant green to bluish-green | Pale blue to greyish-green with white farina |
Leaf Texture | Thick, fleshy, sometimes slightly waxy | Thick, fleshy, soft, and velvety due to farina |
Rosette Size | Approximately 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter | Compact rosettes around 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) |
Growth Habit | Taller growth habit; can reach up to 12 inches (30 cm) when flowering | More compact and squat growth habit |
Flower Characteristics | Produces tall stalks with tubular flowers, typically orange to red | Slender flower stalks with tubular, bell-shaped flowers, usually pink to coral |
Overall Appearance | Larger, more open rosette structure | Denser, more rounded appearance |
Common Uses | Suitable for garden beds, rock gardens, or as a focal point in arrangements | Great for small spaces, containers, and decorative arrangements |
In terms of Echeveria harmsii vs pulvinate, Harmsii tends to have larger, more vibrant rosettes with a taller growth habit and produces orange to red flowers.
Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ is more compact, with a unique frosted leaf appearance and pink to coral flowers, making it ideal for smaller arrangements.
Both plants are beautiful and popular among succulent enthusiasts, but they have distinct characteristics that might make one more suitable than the other, depending on your gardening needs.
Conclusion of Echeveria harmsii vs pulvinata
Distinguishing between Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ and Echeveria harmsii is challenging because the color of their blooms is the distinctive feature to distinguish them. Anyway, in ideal conditions, Echeveria pulvinate ‘Frosty’ will grow more compact than Echeveria harmsii.
I often suggest using the plant identifier tools to identify plants, but I think distinguishing between these Echeveria species is very challenging. I recommend reading my other post about “Purple Echeveria types” too. It can be fantastic.

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.