Echeveria and rosette succulents care: light, water, and pet safety

Echeveria spp.

Care table

LightSome direct sun. As much direct sun as you can give it. Stretches fast in a dim window.
WaterLet it dry out fully. Water when the soil is dry all the way down.
HumidityAverage room air is fine
RepottingSpring, every 2 to 3 years. Use gritty cactus mix and a pot with a hole.

Winter care

Water sparingly, often every 3 to 6 weeks in a cool room. Stop fertilizer. Give it your brightest window.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Hens and Chickens (Echeveria) Many other succulents, such as jade, aloe, and kalanchoe, are toxic. Check each one.

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

  • Soft, mushy base or black roots: Root rot from soil that stays wet too long. Common in winter.
  • Stretched, pale center: Not enough light.
  • White cottony spots: Mealybugs. Wipe with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and isolate the plant.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool

Guides

Sources