Echeveria desmetiana (Echeveria peacockii) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems

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Botanical name: Echeveria desmetiana
Synonym: Echeveria peacockii
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Common names: Peacock Echeveria, Mexican Peacock Echeveria

Description

Echeveria desmetiana commonly called Peacock Echeveria or Mexican Peacock Echeveria is an easy to grow plant which forms a rosette of short, beautiful and tightly packed leaves on a short stem.

The leaves are covered with a white to bluish bloom and they have reddish margins. The flowers are borne on reddish stalk which arises from the compact rosettes of fleshy leaves.

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 bears numerous offsets (pups) at the base of the plant which can be used to propagate new plants.

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.

Toxicity

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

Echeveria Varieties

Many gorgeous hybrids have been developed and there is a wide selection to choose from. Their leaves are 1-3 in. long and each popular species or variety has its own distictive feature.

Some common varieties of Echeveria include Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii), Echeveria amoena, Echeveria carnicolor, Peacock Echeveria (Echeveria desmetiana) and Painted Lady Echeveria (Echeveria derenbergii) among others.

Some Echeveria Plants are low growing as flattened rosettes and others grow as rosette-topped trees.

Where to Buy

If you would like to add these plants to your collection, they are available online on Etsy.

Buy Echeveria Plants online from Etsy

Echeveria desmetiana Care Indoors

Echeveria Peacockii (Echeveria desmetiana) prefers bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, well-drained 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 and tidy 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 in. 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 some direct sunlight. It can also grow under grow lights where natural light is not adequate. Check out this link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.

Echeveria Peacockii can grow under direct sunlight but do not expose it to too hot sunlight before acclimating it as it can get sun scorched.

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

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth between 16-28⁰C during the growing season is ideal for Echeveria desmetiana. Protect it from cold draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Average room humidity is ideal for Echeveria desmetiana. It has no need for high humidity. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Echeveria desmetiana every 2 weeks during the growing season with a succulents 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 like these Cactus and Succulents Soil available at Etsy.

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. Check out 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 Peacockii, Echeveria desmetiana

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.

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 other cause of sudden leaf loss in Echeveria desmetiana is underwatering.

Water the Echeveria Peacockii liberally during the growing period and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Reduce watering during the cold season but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

Elongated stems

Elongated stems and misshappen in Echeveria desmetiana is caused by too little light. It prefers bright light with some direct sunlight.

Too little light will cause the plant to grow weak, elongated stems in an attempt to reach the light source.

Position the Echeveria Peacockii to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

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.

Rotting base and stem collapse

Rotting plant base and stems collapse in Echeveria desmetiana 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. Use the upper stem to propagate new plants and discard the infected parts.

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 in. 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.

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.

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, Scale Insects and Spider Mites. Isolate to affected plant to minimize spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil to get rid of the pests.