Echeveria minima aka Brie Cheese

Echeveria minima is a small plant from Hidalgo, Mexico. It is an evergreen succulent in the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. It grows in deserts or dry shrubland in the wild. Kew calls its growth form a succulent subshrub. In gardens, it forms low mats of close-packed rosettes. These leaf clusters give it a small, neat shape. It keeps its leaves all year.

The pale blue-green leaves have pink-red tips and edges. Each rosette spans about 0.4–0.5 feet (0.12–0.15 metres). The RHS gives a wider size range for mature plants. Both height and spread reach 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres). These sizes apply to whole plants, not single rosettes. Plants need five to ten years to reach full size. Orange-yellow blooms grow on stems that arch above the leaves. They flower from late spring into summer.

Grow it under glass in a standard cactus compost. For this setting, the RHS calls for bright, filtered light. Its list of sites also includes full sun. Put plants in a sheltered spot outside in summer. The RHS gives it a cold rating of H2. It can cope with cool weather, but not freezing. This rating covers minimum temperatures of 1–5°C. Summer use outdoors does not mean it can withstand frost. Keep it safe from freezing through the colder months.

Good drainage matters more than a narrow soil pH range. The RHS lists both sandy soil and loam as suitable. It can grow in acid, neutral, or alkaline growing media. Give it a moderate amount of water during active growth. Feed it every two or three weeks at this time. Use a balanced liquid fertiliser for these feeds. Keep the compost almost dry in winter. This change in watering by season follows the RHS growing guide. The plant suits pots and patio displays when weather allows.

You do not need to prune it as routine care. Grow more plants from seed, leaf cuttings, or offsets. These give you several ways to raise new plants. The RHS says disease is not often a problem. Mealybugs, vine weevil, and aphids can still attack the plant. Check for these pests when you check its health. The supplied sources give no facts about edible parts. Nor do they claim it is safe for people or pets.