Description
Echeveria 'Rainbow' is an eye-catching succulent that forms colorful rosettes of variegated leaves that change color throughout the year. The rosettes grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Leaves are fleshy, spoon-shaped, with a pointed tip. Leaves are pinkish-purple with irregular flashes of vibrant pink and pale yellow. The colors get more intense in winter.
How to grow Echeveria Rainbow
Echeverias are one of the easiest succulents to propagate. Because Echeveria ‘Rainbow’ is a hybrid, in order not to lose the characteristics of the plant, propagation can only be done by cutting. By cutting you can use leaf cuttings during the spring. Cut the leaves as close as possible to the stem and then let it dry; after a few days the cut surface will dry and a callus will form, then place the cutting in a mixture of sand, soil and pumice. To increase success of propagation you can cut two or more leaves at the same time. For Echeverias, is recommended for cuttings, temperatures around 20 °C.
How to care for Echeveria Rainbow
All the basic rules that apply for other succulents are also relevant when it comes to caring for the Echeveria rainbow. This section will provide you with information on how to take care of the Echeveria rainbow.
– Light Requirements
The Echeveria rainbow will thrive well if you grow it under full sunlight. Light shades will also do. If your Echeveria rainbow is among your indoor plants, place it close to the west- or east-facing window that will give it enough light. Make sure your plant receives full sunlight for about four to six hours.
– Water Requirements
You should water the Echeveria rainbow regularly during its growing season, which is in the spring and summer. The growth rate of the rainbow succulent reduces in winter so you should reduce your watering frequency. This allows your plant to enter its period of dormancy with limited disturbance.
After each watering, the soil should remain moist but never soggy. Waterlogged and soggy soils make your plant more susceptible to attack by fungal infections.
When you water your plant, do so thoroughly until excess water drains through the drainage holes of the pot. Wait until the plant’s topsoil is dry before you water it again.
– Soil Requirements
Your Echeveria rainbow will do well in well-draining soils that are suitable for succulents. The pH level of the soil should be slightly acidic, around six.
You can create your potting mix by combining sand with an all-purpose potting mix at a ratio of 1:1. The sand will help to improve the aeration and drainage of the soil. You can even mix clay, pumice and loam to create a potting mix that is well-draining, yet slightly water-retaining to avoid leaching important nutrients.
– Temperature Requirements
These plants love desert conditions, so temperatures between 65 F and 70 F are conducive for the growth of the Echeveria rainbow. During winter, your plant can still survive temperatures around 50 F. The Echeveria rainbow is better grown among your houseplants because it does not tolerate temperatures below 50 F.
Changes in temperature affect the color of Echeveria rainbow leaves. The plant adopts lighter colors when temperatures are high and hot. Darker and denser colors are evident when temperatures are lower.
– Fertilizer
There is no harm in fertilizing your Echeveria rainbow in a bid to help to boost its growth. It’s best to apply the fertilizer at the beginning of the plant’s growing season, but be sure to use a controlled-release fertilizer. You can even add a weak liquid solution of the fertilizer to your plant after every week.
Dilute a 20-20-20 fertilizer to quarter strength if your plant is mature. If they are still young, use fertilizers that have a low nitrogen content. Fertilizers with high amounts of nitrogen can burn your plant, so take note not to fertilize your plant during the winter.