Echeveria purpusorum aka Rose Aloe

Echeveria purpusorum is a small succulent from southern Mexico. It grows in Puebla and Oaxaca, in hot, dry places. It belongs to the Crassulaceae family. An older name is Urbinia purpusii. Its scientific name honours C. A. and J. A. Purpus. Growth is slow, and a specimen takes years to develop.

The plant forms a tight rosette of eight to twelve leaves. Rosettes reach about 0.26 feet (0.08 metres) tall and wide. Most grow alone, though offsets can build a dense clump. The short stem can reach 0.23 feet (0.07 metres). Smooth, thick leaves have broad bases and sharp tips. Their tips curve back a little. Each leaf has a flat upper face and rounded underside. Leaf colour ranges from olive or dark green to brown. Pale green or whitish dots mix with small, red-brown marks. The leaf edges look translucent and lack those dark marks.

Flowers rise above the leaves in late spring, from May to June. The flower stalk reaches about 0.66–0.98 feet (0.20–0.30 metres). It bears six to nine flowers and a few small bracts. These bracts match the leaves in colour. Red-orange buds open to show yellow flowers. Other flower parts show pink, orange, scarlet, and yellow tones. The petals are thick, with deep hollows near their bases.

This species suits pots and is fairly easy to grow. Use a porous mix that lets water drain fast. It can endure long dry spells without watering. Water during its growing season supports stronger growth. Do not leave its roots in waterlogged soil. Root rot is a risk when the mix stays wet. It tolerates light frost, but a warmer winter rest is best. The source recommends winter temperatures of 5–10°C. Low- to moderate-nitrogen, slow-release feed suits spring and summer growth.

Spring is the preferred time to repot cramped roots. Fresh soil need not mean a larger pot. Leave the plant dry for at least a week after repotting. Seed is the usual means of raising new plants. Leaves from the base or flower stalk offer another route. Leaf cuttings can fail, drying out before they form plantlets. Successful leaf propagation may therefore take several attempts.