Echeveria harmsii aka Red Echeveria

Echeveria harmsii comes from Oaxaca, Mexico, where the tropical climate has a dry season. It is an evergreen succulent subshrub: a small, bushy plant that keeps its leaves all year. It belongs to the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. Gardeners also call it red echeveria. Its older scientific name is Oliveranthus elegans.

The RHS describes a plant about 1 foot (0.3 metres) tall. Its size guide gives a top height of 1.6 feet (0.5 metres). The spread can reach 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) too. These figures show that size can vary in gardens. Plants take five to ten years to reach full size. The narrow, dark green leaves form groups called rosettes. Fine hairs coat the leaves, which have red edges. Their colour and hairs add interest when no flowers bloom.

Flowers appear in spring and add red and yellow to the leaves. Each flower has the shape of an urn. They form racemes, with blooms spaced along a main stalk. The small, neat shape suits pots and patio containers. The RHS also lists it for greenhouses and conservatories. In Britain, it needs the shelter that glass gives. Its H2 rating means it can cope with cool air. It cannot survive freezing. This rating covers minimum temperatures of 34–41°F (1–5°C).

Give this plant full sun and a place with shelter. The RHS says sites that face south or west suit it. Use a peat-free potting mix based on loam, with extra grit. Sandy soil and loam both suit it if water drains well. The soil can be acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Give it a modest amount of water while it grows. Stop watering during dormancy, when the plant rests. This ties watering to its growth and rest phases. Use a balanced liquid feed during the growing season. The RHS says two or three feeds are enough.

This plant needs no pruning as part of routine care. It tends to stay free from disease, but pests may occur. Watch for mealybugs, aphids, and vine weevils. You can raise new plants in several ways. Sow seed as soon as it is ripe. In spring, take cuttings from roots, stems, or leaves. These give ways to add plants to a collection without seed.