Echeveria cante aka White Cloud

Echeveria cante is a succulent that stays green year-round. It comes from Zacatecas, Mexico. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family. It grows in dry shrubland or desert. Kew places its home range in northwestern Zacatecas. Gardeners also call it the white cloud plant. Its broad rosette forms a low, rounded shape. Most plants stand alone, though some grow a few offsets.

The rosette spans about 1–1.3 feet (0.3–0.4 m). RHS gives a top garden height and spread of 1.6 feet (0.5 m). Plants may need five to ten years to reach full size. The rosette has no visible stem. A pale, powdery coat covers thick blue-green or silver-blue leaves. Some leaves show lavender shades and narrow pink-red edges. Their upper faces are flat or a little cupped. The lower faces curve outward.

Flowers bloom in summer; LLIFLE gives late summer as bloom time. Upright, reddish stalks rise about 1.5–2 feet (0.45–0.6 m). Each stalk branches, with several flowers on each branch. Small grey bracts dry and fall as the stalk grows. The outer petals range from orange to pink. Their inner faces have a yellow tint. Grey-lavender powder also coats the flower tube.

RHS says to grow this plant under glass. Give it bright light through a filter. Its site guide also lists full sun and shelter. Use cactus compost or another mix that drains fast. Give modest amounts of water while the plant grows. Keep the mix almost dry in winter. The plant can cope with long dry spells. More water helps it grow more strongly during growth. Yet the roots must never stay waterlogged. RHS rates it H2, so protect it from freezing. LLIFLE notes that it can take some light frost. It favors winter temperatures of 5–10°C.

Grow this species in pots or groups of houseplants. It also suits greenhouses and conservatories. RHS lists gravel gardens, patio displays, bedding, and garden edges. For these uses, bear in mind its low cold tolerance. Its pale leaves add interest all year. It needs no routine pruning. Grow new plants from seed or offsets. Repot in spring when the roots crowd the pot. Choose a pot with holes for water to drain. RHS reports few disease problems, but wet roots can rot. Watch for mealybugs, aphids, and vine weevil larvae.