Echeveria lilacina
| Light | Bright light to gentle full sun; needs strong light to keep its tight form |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; soak then allow to dry fully, reduce in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Leaf cuttings, offsets, and seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Echeveria lilacina is a slow-growing, evergreen succulent from northeastern Mexico, prized for its full, perfectly symmetrical rosette of silvery lilac-grey, spoon-shaped leaves. The pale, chalky bloom that coats the foliage gives it a soft, ghostly sheen and the common name ghost echeveria. A member of the genus Echeveria, it is one of the most elegant and sought-after species for collectors of pastel-toned rosettes.
Description
Echeveria lilacina forms a single, tidy rosette that typically reaches up to about 15 cm across when mature. The leaves are broad and spoon-shaped (spatulate), tapering to a small point, and arranged in a dense, near-flat spiral of striking regularity. Their colour ranges from silvery grey to a distinct lilac or pinkish-mauve, deepening in cooler weather and under bright light; the whole plant is dusted with a fine, powdery bloom that rubs off easily where touched.
In late winter and spring the rosette sends up gently arching, reddish flower stalks bearing nodding, bell-shaped blooms in soft coral to pink tones. The species is slow to grow but long-lived, and older plants may slowly develop a short stem beneath the rosette.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the state of Nuevo León in northeastern Mexico, where it grows on rocky limestone slopes and cliffs in semi-arid country. In habitat it endures bright sun, sharp drainage and long dry spells, conditions that account for its heavy protective bloom and its preference for gritty, mineral soils in cultivation.
Cultivation
Echeveria lilacina is a rewarding but deliberate grower that rewards patience with an almost geometric rosette. Give it the brightest position you can — strong light is what keeps the leaves compact and richly coloured, while too little causes the rosette to stretch and lose its symmetry. Acclimatise it gradually to direct sun to avoid scorching the delicate bloom.
Plant it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a pot only a little larger than the rosette. Water thoroughly once the soil has dried out completely, then wait; reduce watering sharply through the cool, short days of winter (see Watering). Always water at the base rather than over the leaves, as pooled water can mark the bloom and encourage rot in the crown. When handling or repotting, hold the plant by the base — the powdery coating will not regrow on marked leaves.
Propagation
The species can be increased several ways. Mature plants occasionally produce offsets around the base that can be separated once rooted. Individual leaves, removed cleanly and whole, can sometimes strike from the base and form plantlets (see Propagation — cuttings), though E. lilacina is slower and less reliable to do so than many echeverias. It also comes readily from seed, and is a frequent parent in hybridising for its colour and form.
Cultivars and hybrids
Echeveria lilacina is a popular parent in the hobby, valued for passing on its silvery-lilac tones and tidy shape. It features in a number of well-known crosses — for example with Echeveria species and related genera to produce pastel, heavily-farinose hybrids. Named selections and intergeneric hybrids abound in the trade; consult the Echeveria genus page for an overview.
Common problems
- Etiolation — the most common issue; insufficient light stretches the rosette upward and spaces out the leaves, spoiling the flat symmetry.
- Rot — from overwatering, poor drainage, or water sitting in the crown; the base or centre turns soft and brown.
- Marked bloom — the powdery farina does not regrow once rubbed off, so handling leaves permanent fingerprints; unsightly but harmless.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff nestled between the leaves and in the crown) and occasionally vine weevil grubs at the roots. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Echeveria — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting
- Propagation — offsets · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — seed
- Pests and diseases