Echeveria harmsii (Plush Plant) Care Indoors, Propagation and Problems

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Red Echeveria, Echeveria harmsii, Plush Plant

Botanical name: Echeveria harmsii
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
Common names: Plush Plant, Red Echeveria, Ruby Slippers Plant, Red Devotion Plant

Description

Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii) also called Red Echeveria, Ruby Slippers Plant or Red Devotion Plant is a small succulent plant which forms a rosette of dark-green leaves with reddish edges which are covered in silver velvet.

Red Echeveria can be grown for both its beautiful foliage as well as its spectacular flowers. The flower is large, urn shaped, bright-orange with golden throats.

Ruby Slippers Plant can grow to a height of 2 ft. The rosette of leaves is oval-shaped and can reach about 3 in. long.

Red Devotion Plant leaves are thick and are more or less triangular in shape. The leaf color ranges from green to blue-green depending on the light exposure.

In Red Echeveria numerous offsets (pups) are produced at the base of the plant and can be used to propagate new plants.

Origin

Echeveria harmsii is native to Mexico and Central America where it can be found growing in the deciduous forest as well as on rocky slopes.

Toxicity

Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii) 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 of Echeveria 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, Buy Echeveria Plants online from Etsy.

Echeveria harmsii Care Indoors

Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii) blossoms in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth and moderately moist, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Echeveria harmsii 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 minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water Plush Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.

Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.

Avoid wetting the center of the rosette as it can lead to rotting; watering from the bottom is safer.

Only water Echeveria harmsii with water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking the plant as it can result in reduced growth.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Light Requirements

Echeveria harmsii grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where natural light is not adequate.

Avoid exposing the Red Echeveria to too hot sunlight before acclimatizing it as it can get sun scorched.

Keep rotating the pot at intervals to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth between 16-28⁰C during the growing season is ideal for Plush Plant. Protect it from cold draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature inorder to maintain a constantly warm temperature.

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

Potting Soil

The best soil for Echeveria harmsii 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 soil is ideal for these plants. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Soil online from Etsy.

Fertilizer

Feed Plush Plant every 2 weeks during the growing season with a succulents fertilizer. Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time.

Repotting

Plush Plant have a small root system so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot it 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.

Pruning

Pruning Plush Plant is easy. Remove 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.

Propagation

Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii) 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 Plush Plant from offsets

Carefully seperate the Plush Plant 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 for faster establishment.

Pot each offset in its individual pot in moist free-draining soil and ensure that each pot has a drainage hole.

Position the pots in a well-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.

Water the Echeveria harmsii offsets sparingly, only when the soil is dry and avoid soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.

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

How to propagate Plush Plant from leaf cuttings

The leaf cuttings root easily. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy Plush 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 Plush Plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

Echeveria harmsii Problems

Plush Plant (Echeveria harmsii) 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 harmsii 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 Red Echeveria is underwatering.

Water the plant 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 harmsii 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.

Place the Plush Plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct sunlight or instal a grow light where natural light is not adequate.

Wilted and discolored leaves

Overwatering during the cold period is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves in Echeveria harmsii.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time.

Also, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.

Rotting base and stem collapse

Rotting plant base and stems collapse in Echeveria harmsii 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 Plush Plant 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. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Brown, soft leaf spots

Brown, soft leaf spots in Plush Plant are an indication of leaf spot disease. Avoid wetting the center of the rosette and improve air circulation for the plant to reduce infestations.

Diseases

The other common disease in Plush Plant is powdery mildew which is prevalent in damp conditions. Avoid wetting the rosette of leaves and water from the bottom instead. Also improve air circulation.

Pests

Common pests in Plush Plant are Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects and Spider Mites. Isolate the plant to prevent spread to other plants. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.