Echeveria nodulosa
| Light | Bright light to a little direct sun; the redder the leaves stay, the happier the plant |
|---|---|
| Water | Water thoroughly when the soil has dried out; ease right off in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, free-draining succulent mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; roughly USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings, offsets and leaf cuttings; seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Echeveria nodulosa is a striking, shrubby Echeveria from south-central Mexico whose olive- to pale-green leaves are boldly striped and edged with vivid red-maroon markings, giving it the common name painted echeveria. Unlike the tight ground-hugging rosettes of many echeverias, it builds up an upright, somewhat branching stem over time, carrying its rosettes aloft like small painted cups.
Description
Echeveria nodulosa forms open rosettes of firm, keeled leaves that are pointed at the tip and slightly cupped. The base colour is a soft olive to grey-green, but the drama is in the markings: a dark red line runs down the centre of each leaf, another traces the leaf margin, and the underside and keel are flushed the same rich maroon. These markings intensify with strong light and cooler temperatures, and fade toward plain green in shade.
With age the plant lengthens into an upright, sparsely branching stem, so mature specimens look shrubby rather than flat — a useful trait for anyone wanting an echeveria with a bit of height. Slender flower stalks rise well above the foliage in spring and summer, carrying small urn-shaped blooms that are yellowish, again marked and tipped with red.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to south-central Mexico, notably the states of Puebla and neighbouring Oaxaca, where it grows on rocky, often limestone slopes and outcrops in seasonally dry country. In habitat it roots into gritty, sharply drained pockets among rock, receiving strong light and going largely dry through the cooler months — conditions worth keeping in mind when growing it at home.
Cultivation
Echeveria nodulosa is an easygoing grower and a good choice for anyone getting to know the genus. Give it the brightest spot you can, up to a little gentle direct sun; this is what keeps the red markings bold and the rosettes compact rather than stretched and pale. Plant it in a gritty, free-draining mix and water thoroughly only once the soil has dried out, then let it dry again. Through winter, keep it cool and much drier to prevent rot and to firm up the growth.
Because it naturally makes an upright stem, older plants can grow leggy and top-heavy; if you prefer a tidier look, simply behead the rosette and re-root it (see Propagation — cuttings), and the old stump will usually branch. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
This is one of the more obliging echeverias to multiply. Stem cuttings and beheaded rosettes root readily once the cut surface has callused; offsets that form along the stem can be removed and potted up; and individual leaves, cleanly detached, will often strike as well. Seed is also possible but slower and less predictable for a species this easy from cuttings. See Propagation — cuttings, Propagation — offsets and Propagation — leaf cuttings for step-by-step guidance.
Cultivars
E. nodulosa is a popular parent in hybridising thanks to its bold leaf markings and upright habit, and it appears in the background of a number of painted, patterned hybrids. Named selections and crosses turn up in cultivation from time to time; look to the Echeveria genus page for an overview of the hybrid groups.
Common problems
- Etiolation — too little light stretches the stem, spaces out the leaves and washes out the red markings to plain green.
- Rot — soft, browning growth at the base or crown, almost always from overwatering or a slow-draining mix, especially in winter.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked into leaf axils and roots) and the occasional aphid on the flower stalks; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Echeveria — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — leaf cuttings · Repotting