Echeveria shaviana aka Mexican Hens And Chicks

Taxonomy

Echeveria shaviana, commonly known as Mexican Hens or Mexican Hens and Chicks, is a species of evergreen succulent in the Crassulaceae family native to northeastern Mexico. It forms short-stemmed rosettes up to 8 inches (20 cm) wide, packed with fifty or more fleshy, smooth, and very wavy crinkled blue-gray leaves, which take on a pink blush in strong light. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit and is easy to grow as long as it gets plenty of sunlight, and can be easily propagated by stem or leaf. This species of succulent was named after the botanical illustrator Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy and is one of hundreds of plants in the Echeveria genus.

Common names

Mexican Hens And Chicks, Warty Lettuce, Pink Frills

How to care for Mexican Hens And Chicks

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Mexican Hens And Chicks is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Mexican Hens And Chicks does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

To keep your Mexican Hens And Chicks healthy, it's important to use a potting soil that won't retain too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to regular cactus soil from the store is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

Mexican Hens And Chicks requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Warty Lettuce is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Mexican Hens And Chicks to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

Mexican Hens And Chicks prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

Fertilizer

The Mexican Hens And Chicks is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

Mexican Hens And Chicks’s native range is Central and northern South America.


More info:
Wikipedia