Echeveria rosette of pale blue-green leaves with pink tips and a pink flower stalk — Photo by 8kka ame on Unsplash

Echeveria care

Echeveria elegans · Crassulaceae

Also called Mexican snowball, Mexican gem, Hens and chickens.

By the Greenie team · Fact-checked October 5, 2026

A small, stemless succulent from Mexico that forms tight rosettes of pale blue-grey leaves covered in a waxy bloom. It spreads by offsets into a low clump. It needs strong light to keep its compact shape and colour.

Pet safe Easy care Drought tolerant Flowers indoors

Light

Full Sun

Watering

Every 2 weeks

Difficulty

Easy

Pets

Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Height indoors

5-10 cm

Growth

Slow

TemperatureUnconfirmed

15-27 °C

Not below 5 °C

HumidityUnconfirmed

30% - 50%

Fine in dry rooms

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Slightly acidic soil

Native to

Mexico

Through the year

Water the soil, not the rosette, and only when the mix is completely dry; in winter, about once a month.

Spring
Every 2 weeks
Growth picks up: water when dry and repot crowded clumps.
Summer
Every 2 weeks
Give it full light; water when dry, more often in hot weather.
Autumn
Monthly
Water less as days shorten.
Winter
Monthly
Keep it bright and cool and almost dry; flower stalks may appear late in the season.

Feeding

2 or 3 times a year in spring and summer. Balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength during active growth only.

Care tips

Do not wipe the leaves
The powdery coating protects the leaves from sun, and fingers leave marks on it.
Use a shallow pot
A wide, shallow pot with gritty cactus mix suits its small root system.
Propagate from pups or leaves
In spring, separate an offset or twist off a whole leaf, let it callus and set it on dry mix.
Clear dead lower leaves
Dry leaves under the rosette hold moisture and hide pests.

Common problems

Stretching

What you seeThe rosette opens up and the stem grows tall with gaps between the leaves.

What to doMove it to a sunnier window; you can cut off the stretched rosette, let it dry and re-root it.
Rot

What you seeLeaves turn black or mushy from the centre or the base.

What to doRemove the damaged parts, let the plant dry out and water less often in a free-draining mix.
Mealybugs

What you seeWhite fluff deep between the leaves or on the roots.

What to doTreat with rubbing alcohol on a swab; if the plant keeps declining, check the root ball as well.