Care and maintenance of the Echeveria elegans – Mexican snowball

The Echeveria elegans , commonly known as the Mexican snowball, is an iconic succulent beloved for its perfect, rosette-shaped growth and delicate silver-green leaves. This elegant plant is not only beautiful to look at, but also easy to care for, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced plant lovers.

For optimal growth, Echeveria elegans needs a bright spot with lots of indirect or direct sunlight. Direct morning or evening sun helps the leaves retain their characteristic color and can even give the edges a pink hue. Place the plant indoors by a south- or west-facing window, or outdoors in a sunny spot. However, watch out for intense sunlight in the summer, as too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves.

The Echeveria elegans requires little water. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and then water again. Make sure that you do not leave water in the heart of the rosette, as this can cause rot. In the winter, when the plant is growing less actively, you can further reduce watering. Preferably use a well-draining cactus or succulent soil to drain excess water.

Fertilization is not often necessary, but during the growing season (spring and summer) you can use a diluted cactus fertilizer monthly. This promotes healthy growth and flowering. The Echeveria elegans produces beautiful, yellow to coral pink flowers on long stems, which gives it extra charm.

In terms of temperature, Echeveria elegans thrives best at 15-25 °C. It can tolerate a light frost, but it is better to bring it inside when the temperature drops below 5 °C. Provide it with a sheltered spot against wind and rain if it is outside.