Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems
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Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) flourishes in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Echeveria derenbergii is one of the popular Echeveria varieties which bears a dense basal rosette of pagoda-shaped, frosted, bristle-tipped, silvery-green fleshy leaves.
Painted Lady Echeveria 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
Origin
Echeveria derenbergii is endemic to Mexico and is named after Atanasio EcheverrÃa 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.
Toxicity
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, they are available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Echeveria derenbergii Care Indoors
Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) blossoms in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-280C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Echeveria derenbergii 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
Painted Lady Echeveria 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.
You may also grow Echeveria derenbergii under grow lights where natural light is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and avoid lopsided growth.
Watering
Water Painted Lady Echeveria thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Lessen watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking the plant as it can result in reduced growth.
Avoid wetting the center of the rosette as it can lead to rotting; watering from the bottom is safer. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 16-280C during the growing season is ideal for Painted Lady Echeveria. Protect it from cold drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
Moderate humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Painted Lady Echeveria. It has no need for extra humidity. Ascertain there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Painted Lady Echeveria should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Cactus and succulents mix is ideal for these plants.
Fertilizer
Feed Painted Lady Echeveria every 2 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth. Do not feed during the dormancy stage (cold season) as growth is minimal at this time.
Repotting
Painted Lady Echeveria have a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot at the beginning of the growing season 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 Painted Lady Echeveria involves removal of dead or diseased leaves as they act as a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
If the Echeveria derenbergii 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.
Propagation
Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets (pups) which form at the base of the plant or from leaf cuttings.
How to propagate Painted Lady Echeveria from offsets
Carefully seperate the Painted Lady Echeveria offsets from the mother plant and allow the offsets to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting. Select an offset which has several leaves.
Pot each offset in its own pot in moist, free-draining soil and ensure that each pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Place 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 offsets be well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Painted Lady Echeveria from leaf cuttings
The leaf cuttings root easily and have no need for a rooting hormone.
Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Painted Lady Echeveria 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 leaf cuttings 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 Painted Lady Echeveria plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Echeveria derenbergii Problems
Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) problems include leaf loss, wilting, leggy growth, rotting, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Brown, soft leaf spots
Brown, soft leaf spots in Painted Lady Echeveria are an indication of leaf spot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. Avoid wetting the center of the rosette and improve air circulation for the plant to discourage disease infestation. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the leaf spot disease.
Diseases
The other common disease in Painted Lady Echeveria is powdery mildew which is prevalent in damp conditions. Avoid wetting the leaves or water from the bottom instead. Also improve air circulation for the plant. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it appropriately for the powdery mildew disease.
Pests
Common pests in Painted Lady Echeveria are scales, mealy bugs and spider Mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read more on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Elongated stems
Elongated stems and misshappen in Painted Lady Echeveria is caused by too little light. Ensure to place the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants..
Sudden leaf loss
One cause of sudden leaf loss in Painted Lady Echeveria is watering with very cold water. Always water the plant with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking this tropical plant.
The second cause of sudden leaf loss in Echeveria derenbergii is underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Wilted and discolored leaves
Overwatering during the cold period is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves in Painted Lady Echeveria. Reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. Also, make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.
Rotting base and stem collapse
Rotting plant base and stems collapse in Painted Lady Echeveria is an indication of basal stem rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions. At this point, the plant is far gone and cannot be saved, therefore, use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips in Painted Lady Echeveria are due to underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Cut down on watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is reduced at this time.
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