Echeveria desmetiana (Echeveria peacockii) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems
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Echeveria Peacockii (Echeveria desmetiana) grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, succulents potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Echeveria desmetiana commonly called Peacock Echeveria or Mexican Peacock Echeveria is one of the popular Echeveria varieties and forms a rosette of short, beautiful, tightly packed leaves on a short stem and the flowers are borne on reddish stalk which arises from the compact rosettes of leaves.
The leaves are covered with a beautiful white to bluish bloom and they have reddish margins making this plant a sight to behold in any space which places this plant among the best plants for a study table or even a perfect gift plant for mother's day.
The succulent leaves store water and allow these plants to survive well in drought conditions which makes Echeveria desmetiana one of the best plants with low water needs for the home space.
Echeveria desmetiana was first described by De Smet. The species had previously been described and illustrated as Echeveria peacockii by T. Moore, with reference to the name Echeveria peacockii that had been used by Croucher.
Echeveria Peacockii like most Echeverias bears numerous offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be used to propagate new plants. It easily propagates by means of these pups.
Botanical name: Echeveria desmetiana
Synonym: Echeveria peacockii
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Common names: Peacock Echeveria, Mexican Peacock Echeveria
Origin
Echeveria desmetiana also called Echeveria peacockii is native to central and southwest Mexico where it is found growing on rocky outcroppings at higher altitudes.
Echeveria Varieties
Many gorgeous hybrids have been developed and there is a wide selection to choose from. Their leaves are 1-3 inches long and each species or variety has its own distictive feature. Some Echeveria Plants are low growing as flattened rosettes and others grow as rosette-topped trees.
Apart from Echeveria desmetiana, other common varieties of Echeveria include Echeveria harmsii (Plush Plant ), Echeveria derenbergii (Painted Lady Echeveria), Echeveria amoena, and Echeveria carnicolor among others.
Toxicity
Echeveria desmetiana like other Echeveria are non-toxic to humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. They are some of the pet safe plants for indoors.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add these plants to your collection, you may acquire Echeveria Plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Echeveria desmetiana Care Indoors
Echeveria Peacockii (Echeveria desmetiana) prefers bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-280C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, succulents potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Echeveria desmetiana 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 as well as discourage pests and diseases infestation. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Echeveria desmetiana 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.
Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.
Be careful not to wet the center of the rosette as it can lead to rotting or water from the bottom instead.
Only water the Echeveria Peacockii with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking your plant as it can result in reduced growth.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Light Requirements
Echeveria desmetiana grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. You may grow the plant under direct sunlight but do not expose it to the hot sunshine before acclimating it as it can get sun scorched.
Where natural light is not adequate, it may be grown under grow lights. 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 as well as prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 16-280C during the growing season is ideal for Echeveria desmetiana. Protect it from cold drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. It has no need for extra humidity. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Echeveria desmetiana every 2 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for a lush growth. Withhold feeding during the dormancy stage (cold season) as growth is minimal at this time.
Potting Medium
The best potting medium for Echeveria desmetiana should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. It should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Cactus and succulents soil is ideal for these plants.
Repotting
Echeveria desmetiana 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 available on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Echeveria desmetiana is easy. Remove dead or diseased leaves as they act as a breeding ground for pests and diseases.
If the Echeveria Peacockii 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
Echeveria desmetiana (Echeveria Peacockii) 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 Echeveria desmetiana from offsets
Carefully seperate the Echeveria desmetiana offsets from the mother plant and allow the offsets to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before potting. Use only an offset which has several leaves.
Pot each offset in its individual pot in moist free-draining soil and ensure that each pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil.
Place the set up in a brightly lit spot 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 Echeveria Peacockii to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Echeveria desmetiana from leaf cuttings
The leaf cuttings root easily and have no need for a rooting hormone.
Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Echeveria desmetiana 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 Echeveria Peacockii are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Echeveria desmetiana Problems
Echeveria desmetiana (Echeveria Peacockii) 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 Echeveria desmetiana are an indication of leaf spot disease. Avoid wetting the center of the rosette and improve air circulation.
Rotting base and stem collapse
Rotting plant base and stems collapse in Echeveria desmetiana is an indication of basal stem rot disease which is prevalent in overwet conditions. At this point, the plant is far gone and cannot be saved. Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.
Diseases
Echeveria desmetiana is also prone to powdery mildew which is prevalent in damp conditions. Avoid wetting the leaves and water from the bottom instead. Also improve air circulation for the plant.
Pests
Common pests in Echeveria desmetiana are mealy bugs, scales and spidermites. Isolate to affected plant to minimize spread to other houseplants and treat it with neem oil to get rid of the pests. Ensure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations
Sudden leaf loss
Watering Echeveria desmetiana with very cold water is one cause of sudden leaf loss. 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 desmetiana is underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing period and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Reduce watering during the cold season 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.
Elongated stems
Elongated stems and misshappen in Echeveria desmetiana is caused by too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Wilted and discolored leaves
Overwatering during the cold period is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves in Echeveria desmetiana. Cut down on watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. In addition, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips in Echeveria desmetiana 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. Lessen watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
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