Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems

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Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) 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 derenbergii is one of the popular Echeveria varieties and bears a dense basal rosette of pagoda-shaped, frosted, bristle-tipped, silvery-green fleshy leaves.

Echeveria Painted Lady bears bell-shaped yellow flowers with red tips which look-like they have been painted and hence the common name, 'Painted Lady'.

Echeveria derenbergii is an evergreen, perennial, compact, succulent plant which grows to a height of about 4-6 inches only and is easy to grow even for a beginner.

Painted Lady Echeveria rapidly produces a colony of small offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be separated from the parent plant for propagation purposes.

Botanical name: Echeveria derenbergii
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Common names: Painted Lady Echeveria, Echeveria Painted Lady

Origin

Echeveria derenbergii is endemic to Mexico and is named after Atanasio Echeverría Godoy, a botanical illustrator.

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 common varieties include Echeveria harmsii (Plush Plant ), Echeveria desmetiana (Peacock Echeveria), Echeveria amoena and Echeveria carnicolor among many others.

Is Echeveria derenbergii toxic?

Echeveria derenbergii like other Echeveria are non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. They are safe to grow indoors.

Where to Buy

If you would like to add Echeveria derenbergii to your collection, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Echeveria derenbergii Indoors

To care for Echeveria derenbergii indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in spring and summer.

Painted Lady Echeveria does not require regular repotting as it has a small root system, therefore, repot it only when root-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Light Requirements

Does Echeveria derenbergii need sun or shade?

Echeveria derenbergii grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine. Avoid exposing it to too hot sunlight before acclimating it as it can get sun scorched.

If the light is too low, the growth will be stunted and the leaves will turn yellow and begin to fall. Where the natural light is not adequate, you may use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and avoid lopsided growth.

Watering

How often should I water Echeveria derenbergii?

Water your Echeveria derenbergii thoroughly in spring and summer and allow 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.

Lessen watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. However, do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, yellowing and leaf fall.

Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking the plant as it can result in reduced growth and leaf loss. Confirm that the water is free of chlorine to prevent browning of leaf tips and edges.

Avoid wetting the center of the rosette as it can lead to rotting; you may water from the bottom instead. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Temperature & Humidity

Painted Lady Echeveria flourishes in a warmth of 16-28⁰C in the growing season. Protect it from cold drafts coming from drafty windows, windy doors, AC units and others to avoid sudden changes in temperature which can result in slowed growth, yellowing and leaf loss.

Echeveria derenbergii prospers in a humidity of 50-55%; it has no need for extra humidity. Ascertain that there is good air flow to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed your Echeveria Painted Lady with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Do not feed during the dormancy stage (fall and winter) as growth is minimal at this time.

Regularly flush 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 as much salt as possible.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Painted Lady Echeveria should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid waterlogging. 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 Painted Lady have a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot 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 than the current one to avoid overpotting. Select a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging which 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 Painted Lady Echeveria involves removal of dead or diseased leaves as they act as a breeding ground for pests and diseases.

If the 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 derenbergii Propagation

Echeveria derenbergii is propagated from offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant or from leaf cuttings. The best time to propagate is at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) when in active growth for faster establishment.

1. Propagating Echeveria Painted Lady from offsets

1. Carefully seperate the offset from the mother plant. Select an offset which has several leaves.


2. Allow the offset to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting to prevent rotting.


3. Pot the offset in its own pot in moist, well-draining soil. Ensure that each pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.


4. Place the set up in bright light away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.


5. Water the offset sparingly, only when the soil is dry and avoid soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.


6. Allow the offset to be well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Echeveria Painted Lady from leaf cuttings

Echeveria Painted Lady leaf cuttings root easily and have no need for a rooting hormone.

1. 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.


2. Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days to promote rooting and prevent rotting.


3. Lay the leaf cuttings on moist soil and do not allow the cut end to touch the soil.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist by light misting.


5. Roots should grow into the moist soil and soon after, new plants will develop from the base of the leaf cutting.


6. Carefully lift the new plants and pot in individual pots while taking care not to damage the delicate roots.


7. Maintain the soil slightly moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

Echeveria derenbergii Problems & Remedies

Echeveria Painted Lady problems are leaf loss, yellowing leaves, wilting & drooping leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Leaf loss

Why are my Echeveria derenbergii leaves falling off?

Your Echeveria derenbergii 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 adequate 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 cold shock.

Yellowing leaves

Why is my Echeveria derenbergii turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves on Echeveria derenbergii 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 enough light in your home.

Soggy soil: Use fast-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Do not water on schedule.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from 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.

Wilting & drooping leaves

Wilting and drooping leaves on Echeveria Painted Lady 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 sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, hot surfaces, windy doors among others.

Salts buildup: Regularly flush 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.

Pests

Common pests on Echeveria derenbergii are spider mites, scales and mealybugs which are prevalent in dry, stuffy conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturers.


3. Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Ensure good air flow to discourage the pests infestations.

Diseases

Echeveria Painted Lady 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

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Spray the affected plant with a systemic fungicide and ensure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Avoid wetting the center of the rosette during watering.


4. Improve ventilation to ensure good air circulation for the plant.

2. Powdery mildew which is prevalent in overwet conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Spray the affected plant with neem oil as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Take care not to wet the leaves or water from the bottom instead.


4. Maintain good 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

1. At this point, the plant is too far gone and cannot be saved.


2. Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.

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