Echeveria subrigida

Echeveria subrigida is an evergreen succulent from Mexico. It belongs to the stonecrop family, Crassulaceae. Its native habitat includes desert and dry shrubland. Records place it in Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and San Luis Potosí. Garden plants reach about 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] tall and wide. LLIFLE reports larger plants reaching 2 feet [0.6 metres] in both dimensions. Plants reach mature size in two to five years.

The leaves form a dense rosette around a short, stout stem. A single rosette can span about 1 foot [0.3 metres]. The stem may reach 0.33 feet [0.1 metres] thick. Each leaf has a pointed tip and a groove down its centre. The leaves look grey-green beneath a white, powder-like coat. Some show a pale pink or lavender tint. Red edges frame the leaves, with scarlet margins on young growth. The edges may turn upward or ripple, with small, rounded teeth.

Flowers rise above the leaves in summer on tall stems. One or two flower stems may grow at once. These reach 2–3 feet [0.6–0.9 metres] tall and bear branched panicles. RHS describes pink blooms, while LLIFLE records red flowers. LLIFLE also notes a whitish outer coating and yellow-red inner surfaces. The flower heads open out as flowering moves along the stems. Both the pale leaves and raised flowers give this plant ornamental value.

Grow it in cactus compost or another mix that drains fast. Loam and sand are suitable, across acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. RHS recommends bright, filtered light for cultivation. It also lists full sun as a suitable position. Introduce plants to direct sun in stages before summer outdoor use. Water moderately during growth, and keep the compost nearly dry in winter. Feed monthly during growth with a balanced liquid fertiliser. The plant resists drought but needs shelter from frost. Its RHS H2 rating means it cannot survive freezing.

Use it in pots, on patios, or in a greenhouse or conservatory. It also suits growing as a houseplant. No routine pruning is needed. RHS reports few disease problems, though pests can still occur. Watch for mealybugs, aphids, and vine weevil. Sow seed in early spring at 18°C. Take leaf cuttings in early summer, or divide offsets in spring.