Project Description
Echeveria elegans
Mexican Snowball
This Echeveria is one of the most easily recognizable of its species. The light-green rosette does well indoors when given enough light. It is often referred to as “hens and chicks,” not to be confused with Sempervivum.
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Quick Look:
Full sun to partial shade
Typical water needs for a succulent
Plant grows up to 8″ (20 cm) tall
Plant grows up to 12″ (30.5 cm) wide
Zone 9a (Minimum 20° F | -6.7° C)
Not cold hardy
Propagation by offsets and leaves
Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
Winter Dormant
Also available from Leaf and Clay and Etsy.
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Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Echeveria elegans “Mexican Snowball”
This common Echeveria is perfect on a green roof, as part of a wedding bouquet, or for use as ground cover. Anciently, it was believed to drive away evil spirits.
Watering
“Mexican Snowball” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
Echeveria elegans “Mexican Snowball” is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20° F (-6.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.
Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. If planting indoors, place in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, such as near a southern-facing window (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere).
Pairs Well With
How to Propagate Echeveria elegans “Mexican Snowball”
Echeveria elegans “Mexican Snowball” is a prolific propagator, growing many “chicks” from offsets. You can also propagate it from its leaves.
Offsets
Echeveria elegans “Mexican Snowball” will produce small offsets, sprouting up around the base of the plant. Simply pull these up and allow the offsets to dry for one to two days before replanting.
Leaves
To propagate Echeveria elegans “Mexican Snowball” from leaves, begin by choosing a firm, healthy leaf. Remove it from the main plant by gently twisting the leaf from the stem. Be sure not to leave any of the leaf on the stem (if you take a bit of the stem with the leaf, that’s fine, too!).
Allow the leaf to callous over for several days, and then lay on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried completely. After roots and a rosette have appeared, and the mother leaf has withered away, plant the new growth.
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rStill not sure how to know when the Echeveria Elegens is in need of a larger pot. Mine has grown significantly this fall and appears to be too large for the pot. Meaning – the leaves are extended over the edge of the pot all the way around. When do I repot?
Great question! This FAQ will walk you through that.
Hi! The leaves of my Echeveria Elegans seem to be drooping. What that be caused by? Lack of sunlight?
It’s difficult to say without seeing a picture, but that is a common reason to see drooping, especially if it’s growing indoors. You may want to try supplementing with a grow light.
I’m from Philippines and mine is not that healthy. Kept on watching your vlogs for tips but still, nothing. Don’t know what to dooo
If you’re concerned about your succulent dying, this post will offer some suggestions that will help you save it! If you’d like help to further identify the specific reason your succulent isn’t doing well, I’d like to invite you to join our Succulent Lovers Club.
As a member of the club Cassidy can give you one on one help to get it diagnosed specifically and also help answer any other succulent care questions you have.
We also have some other great resources for helping your succulents in our Facebook Group.
My succulent is out of control! I replanted and it is already way too big again. It has a lot of little chicks and now has a long stem that is flowering. Very pretty but how do I break it down?
Using sharp, sterile scissors or a knife, you can remove the “chicks” from the mother plant and replant them in well-draining soil.