by ann marie
(phoenix az)
I’m in phoenix az. Zone 7? I got an Echeveria in April and put it outside in a pot in full sun it was doing well. Got concerned about the heat and brought it inside in late may. I put it in a south facing window. Now the bottom leaves are turning brown and dropping. Should I put it in an east or west facing window instead? How much water do they need? Thanks! PS. I can’t figure out how to send pix. Sorry
Hi Ann Marie, pictures would certainly help, but what you describe is pretty typical of Echeveria.
They tend to drop lower leaves as the top rosette gets bigger and eventually it starts to look like a palm tree – a tall stem, with a fluff of leaves on the top.
This calls for ‘beheading’ or cutting off the rosette and re-rooting it.
Don’t worry, it’s really not that scary.
These plants have the ability to quickly root from the bottom of the rosette, and they may take a few weeks to recover, but once they grow some new roots, they take off and regain their health. See the bottom of this page to buy the book which will tell you all about how to do it.
For water, they should be watered well, once or twice a month. Allow them to dry almost completely between times – don’t tease by giving only a tiny amount. They need a good drenching, but it’s crucial that they have well drained soil.
Have a look at this page on how to grow Echeveria for more tips.
Hope that helps with the Scary Echeveria!
Jacki
