How to Grow and Care for Echeveria carnicolor Indoors
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Echeveria carnicolor thrives in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Echeveria carnicolor is one of the popular Echeveria varieties bearing a very flat rosette with gray-purple leaves with a whitish margin and the flowers are orange-red.
The leaves in Echeveria carnicolor are pointy, long, and thin; about 4 inches long and 1.2 inches wide. It is a compact plant which grows to a height of 4-5 inches and about 5 inches wide.
One of the most notable feature in Echeveria carnicolor are the dark-green leaves which turn slightly darker when stressed. The plant produces numerous offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be used to propagate new plants.
Botanical name: Echeveria carnicolor
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Origin
Echeveria carnicolor is endemic to Veracruz, Mexico.
Echeveria Varieties
Many gorgeous hybrids have been developed and there is a wide selection to choose from. Each popular species or variety has its own distictive feature. Some Echeveria are low-growing plants which grow as flattened rosettes and others grow as rosette-topped trees.
Some common varieties include Echeveria harmsii (Plush Plant ), Echeveria derenbergii (Painted Lady Echeveria), Echeveria desmetiana (Peacock Echeveria), and Echeveria amoena among many others.
Is Echeveria carnicolor toxic?
No. Echeveria carnicolor like other Echeveria are non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. They are safe to grow indoors.
Where to Buy
Would you would like to add Echeveria carnicolor to your collection? You may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Echeveria carnicolor Indoors
To care for Echeveria carnicolor indoors, give it bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Echeveria carnicolor only requires repotting when it has become root-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat as well as discourage pests and diseases infestation. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Does Echeveria carnicolor need sun or shade?
Echeveria carnicolor grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to enhance leaf color. Too little light will result in a leggy plant (elongated stems).
It can also grow in full sunlight but do not expose it to hot midday sunshine before acclimating it as it can get sun scorched.
Insufficient light will result in stunted growth, yellowing, leggy growth and leaf fall. If the natural light is not adequate, you may use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and also prevent lopsided growth.
Watering
How often should I water Echeveria carnicolor?
Water Echeveria carnicolor liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a prolonged period to avoid wilting, yellowing and leaf loss.
Only water the plant with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking the plant which can result in reduced growth and leaf fall. Make sure that the water is chlorine-free to prevent browning of leaf edges and tips.
Avoid wetting the center of the rosette of leaves as it can lead to rotting; water from the bottom is safer. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it watering as it can lead to rotting, yellowing and death of the plant.
Temperature & Humidity
Echeveria carnicolor prefers a warmth of 16-280C during the growing season. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid sudden changes which can result in stunted growth and leaf drop.
Moderate humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Echeveria carnicolor; it has no need for extra humidity. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases infestations.
Fertilizer
Feed Echeveria carnicolor every 2 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for a lush growth. Stop feeding in the dormancy stage (fall and winter) as growth is slowed at this time.
Potting Medium
The best potting soil for Echeveria carnicolor should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Most Cactus and succulents mixes are ideal for these plants.
Repotting
Echeveria carnicolor have a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot the plant at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when it becomes crowded in its current pot.
Use a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Use a shallow pot and be careful not to bury the stems to prevent rotting. Take a look at these succulents pots on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Echeveria carnicolor is easy. Remove dead or diseased leaves to keep the plant neat and tidy as as well as discourage pests and diseases.
If plant is straggly with a nice rosette sitting on top of a long woody stem; cut off the rosette, allow it to dry (callus) in dry potting soil and it will root and grow into a new plant.
The woody stem can also be used for propagation where plantlets will form at the top of the stem. These plantlets can then be seperated from the stem when about 4-6 leaves have formed and grown in their own pots.
Echeveria carnicolor Propagation
Echeveria carnicolor is propagated from offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant or from leaf cuttings at the beginning of the growing season.
1. Propagating Echeveria carnicolor from offsets
- Carefully seperate the offset from the mother plant. Select an offset which has several leaves to increase chances of establishment and enhance faster rooting.
- Allow the offset to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting to avoid rotting.
- Pot the offset in its individual pot in moist, free-draining soil and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.
- Position the set up in bright light away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.
- Water the offsets sparingly, only when the soil is dry and avoid soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.
- Allow the new plants to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
2. Propagating Echeveria carnicolor from leaf cuttings
The leaf cuttings root easily and have no need for a rooting hormone.
- Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant while ensuring that you are using the complete leaf as leaves whose base is broken may not root.
- Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days to promote rooting and prevent rotting.
- Lay the leaves on moist soil and do not allow the cut end to touch the soil.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist by light misting.
- Roots should grow into the moist soil and soon after, new plants will develop from the base of the leaf cutting.
- Carefully lift the new plants and pot in individual pots while taking care not to damage the delicate roots.
- Maintain the soil slightly moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Echeveria carnicolor Problems & Solutions
Echeveria carnicolor problems are leaf loss, yellow leaves, wilted & droopy leaves, leggy growth, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Leaf loss
Why are my Echeveria carnicolor leaves falling off?
Your Echeveria carnicolor leaves are falling off due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, cold drafts or use of cold water.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.
Cold drfats: Keep the plant away from sources of cold drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units among others.
Use of cold water: Only water the plant with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant.
Yellow leaves
Why is my Echeveria carnicolor turning yellow?
Yellow leaves on Echeveria carnicolor are caused by low light, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, drafts, nutrients deficiency or aging.
How to fix it
Low light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have sufficient light in your home.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on schedule.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, hot surfaces, windy doors among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer.
Aging: This is a natural process. As the plant matures the lower leaves turn yellow and drop off.
Wilted & droopy leaves
Wilted and droopy leaves on Echeveria carnicolor are due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil drains easily.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts emanating from AC units, hot air vents, hot surfaces, windy doors among others.
Salts buildup: Regularly leach out excess salts by running water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole. Let it run for 5-10 minutes to get rid of most of the salts.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth (elongated stems and misshappen) on Echeveria carnicolor is caused by too little light.
How to fix it
Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Echeveria carnicolor are due to underwatering.
How to fix it
Water the plant when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and never allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period.
Pests
Common pests on Echeveria carnicolor are spider mites, scales and mealybugs which are prevalent in dry, stuffy conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as indicated by the manufacturers.
- Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Maintain a good air flow to discourage the pests infestations.
Diseases
Echeveria carnicolor is prone to leaf spot disease, powdery mildew and basal stem-rot disease:
1. Leaf spot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions and poor air circulation. It is characterized by brown, soft leaf spots.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Avoid wetting the center of the rosette during watering.
- Improve ventilation to ensure good air circulation for the plant.
2. Powdery mildew which is prevalent in overwet conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Spray the affected plant with neem oil as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Take care not to wet the leaves or water from the bottom instead.
- Maintain proper air circulation to discourage the disease infestation.
3. Basal stem-rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions. The disease is characterized by a rotting plant base and stems collapse.
How to fix it
- At this point, the plant is too far gone and cannot be saved.
- Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.