Echeveria Elegans Hybrid (Mexican Snowball)

Description

The Echeveria Elegans Hybrid or Mexican Snowball (otherwise called a Mexican Gem), likely one of the more popular Echeverias to be found. This beautiful plant grows compact, balanced rosettes of an ice blue/pale green that is offset by a powdery, waxy texture. Its spoons turn inwards, to create a nice ball-like formation that’s much tighter when the plant cools, to ‘close it down’ a little more for the colder seasons. If the plant is in bright light it usually gets a pink glow around the outside edges of the leaves.

The Mexican Snowball grows naturally as a clumper, readily sending out offsetting rosettes from its base which create a pretty, mat-like effect. This compact Echeveria Elegans Hybrid characteristic classic rosette shape is well-suited for shallow succulent bowls, groundcovers or rock garden plantings as it will multiply into a beautiful bunch of the same shape. It's as attractive in a single specimen plant setting in a colourful planter on a sunny balcony or window ledge, where its pale, 'snowball' effect is perfectly contrasted with darker coloured greenery.

The Echeveria Elegans Hybrid makes a good ‘ beginner’ plant to the echeverias, tolerating a little neglect with good light, well draining mix and sensible watering. Don’t allow water to collect in the center of the rosette as can happen with other echeverias as this is to avoid rot. A well watered and bright plant will settle in nicely and will in time give nice tall flower stalks with lantern shaped flowers which have yellow tips on a pink bloom, generally late winter through into the summer months.

Key Features

• Close, symmetrical rosettes of light, cold ice green, spoon-shaped leaves
• Rounded, snowball-shape; gets more condensed in cooler weather
• Outer leaves can develop a soft pink blush in bright sunlight
• Offsets readily, forming an attractive clumping, carpet-like spread
• Once established tolerates drought exceptionally well
• Easy to care for, tolerant of neglect perfect for novices.
• Produces lantern-shaped pink flowers with yellow tips on tall stalks
• A classic, versatile addition for rock gardens and mixed succulent bowls

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Echeveria Elegans Hybrid plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted/Pot: Optional)
• Well-draining potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Natural variation in the rosette size, colour and intensity of pink blush is normal plant to plant
• Some leaf loss during transit is normal for succulents, and they will usually rebound in a week or two
• Avoid letting water collect in the central rosette, as this can lead to rot or fungal issues
• Avoid touching the leaves too often, as the delicate powdery coating can rub off with handling
• Provide a gentle introduction to direct light if your plant was previously kept under low light conditions
• These are a tender plant and will require winter protection or bring indoors for extreme cold weather

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My Echeveria Elegans Hybrid has become stretched out, no longer compact. What can I do? 

A: Etiolation is typically the cause when your plant reaches for light. Place the plant where it can receive more bright and indirect or direct sunlight, and its new growth should be more tight and compact rosettes. 

Q: When should I water my plant?

A: Apply a soak and dry watering method. Allow the soil to dry fully before watering, about once every 12-16 days depending on where you live. Be sure never to let any water settle in the rosette.

Q: Can Echeveria Elegans Hybrid be grown indoors?

A: It can be grown indoors, but it’s an echeveria that does the best when it can be put outside for a period of time where it receives a few hours of sun each day – or placed in a south-facing window inside so it’s healthiest. 

Q: How fast does Echeveria Elegans Hybrid grow?

A: These grow slowly as a plant, but offsets should come in quite fast so you will have a plant that will form a more compact cluster of Echeveria.

Q: Does this plant need fertilizer?

A: You can encourage growth and flower production with a dilute, balanced liquid fertiliser a couple of times during spring and summer – do not feed during the colder dormant months.

Q: Is Echeveria Elegans Hybrid poisonous?

A: This succulent plant is generally safe around pets and people, so is suitable to be around animals like cats and dogs. As with any houseplants, however, you don't want to let your pets be chewing on this echeveria either!