Echeveria laui
| Light | Bright light with some protection from harsh midday sun; too much shade causes stretching |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; let the soil dry completely between waterings, and water from below or at the soil line to protect the farina |
| Soil | Very free-draining, gritty mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing and dry in cold weather; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed and leaf cuttings; slow to root and grow |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Echeveria laui is a slow-growing rosette succulent from Oaxaca, Mexico, prized by collectors for its thick, rounded leaves cloaked in an unusually heavy coat of powdery-white farina. The waxy bloom gives the plant a soft, frosted pastel look — pale blue to pinkish — and is easily marked by fingerprints, so E. laui is grown as much for its delicacy as its colour. It is one of the most coveted species in the genus Echeveria.
Description
Echeveria laui forms a compact, symmetrical rosette of few but very plump, spoon-shaped leaves, typically reaching around 10–15 cm across at maturity. The whole plant is coated in a dense layer of farina — the natural waxy, powdery bloom many echeverias produce — which here is thicker than in almost any other species, lending the leaves their chalky, ghostly-white to soft-pink appearance.
That coating is more than decoration: it reflects strong sunlight and helps the plant conserve moisture, but it does not regrow once rubbed away, so every touch leaves a lasting mark. Flowers appear on arching stalks in summer, and are coral to pinkish-orange, dusted with the same pale farina as the leaves.
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to a limited area of the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where it grows on rocky, well-drained slopes and cliffs in a warm, dry climate. Its natural range is small, and like many narrowly distributed Mexican succulents it is vulnerable to over-collection in the wild. Plants in cultivation are raised from nursery seed and cuttings, and these are the only ones that should be bought or traded.
Cultivation
Echeveria laui has a reputation for being fussy, and it rewards patience more than fast growth. Grow it in a very gritty, free-draining mix in a pot no larger than it needs, and give it bright light — plenty of sun keeps the rosette tight and the colour good, while too little light causes it to stretch and lose its shape.
Water is where most plants are lost. Let the soil dry out completely, then water thoroughly, ideally at the soil line or from below so you don't disturb the delicate farina on the leaves; keep it dry and protected through cold weather, as cold combined with damp quickly causes rot. Good airflow, careful handling, and restraint with the watering can are the whole secret to this species. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
E. laui can be grown from seed or from leaf cuttings, though both are slower and less reliable than with easier echeverias. Leaves must be removed cleanly at the base with their whole attachment point intact, then left to callus before being set on a barely-moist mineral surface; rooting and the emergence of a tiny new rosette can take many weeks. Seed-raising is used to bulk up numbers but demands warmth, patience and scrupulous hygiene. See Propagation — leaf cuttings and Propagation — seed for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of death, almost always from overwatering, a slow-draining mix, or cold damp conditions; the plant softens and collapses from the centre or base.
- Marked farina — fingerprints and water spots permanently mar the powdery coating, which does not regenerate. Handle plants by the pot and water carefully.
- Etiolation — too little light stretches the rosette and spaces out the leaves, spoiling the compact form.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff nestled between the leaves) are the most common; their waxy fluff can be easy to mistake for the plant's own farina, so inspect closely.
See also
- Echeveria — the genus overview
- Farina · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — leaf cuttings · Propagation — seed · Pests and diseases