Echeveria rainbow is a succulent in the Crassulaceae (Stonecrop) Family. It features beautiful light pink and green leaves in a mesmerizing rosette pattern.
Echeveria rainbow care and propagation are easy and fun. The plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. It does not tolerate cold well, so growing it indoors is recommended. You can easily propagate Echeveria rainbows by leaf cuttings or from seed.
Read on to learn everything you need to know to care for your own Echeveria rainbow at home. We will also cover propagation so you can expand your collection and share these gorgeous succulents with others.
How To Care for Echeveria rainbow
Succulents in the genus Echeveria are native to Mexico and Central and South America. They are found in the wild at high elevations in dry climates. They grow in sandy, rocky soil in areas that are sunny and avoid extremes in temperature.
Your Echeveria rainbow will thrive when these conditions are simulated, and the plant is watered regularly.
The Best Soil for Echeveria rainbow
It is vital to have your plant in well-draining soil. Avoid soil that is compacted, contains clay, or lacks aerating chunks of organic matter such as rocks or wood chips.
Plant your Echeveria rainbow in a blended soil that contains nutrient-rich peat or potting soil, rocky sand, and perlite or wood chips. You can buy a pre-mixed blend like this Professional Succulent Soil (available from Amazon.com) or make your own.
How To Make Your Own Succulent Soil Blend
To make your potting soil for your Echeveria rainbow, you will need the following supplies:
- Potting Soil
- Coarse Sand
- Perlite
- Large Container or Wheelbarrow
- Trowel
All of these elements can be purchased from your local nursery or garden center. It is not recommended to use sand from the beach, as it can bring unwanted pests or diseases into your garden.
If you cannot find Coarse sand, you can buy turface or poultry grit instead.
Combine the potting soil, sand, and perlite in the following proportions:
- Three parts potting soil
- Two parts coarse sand
- One part perlite
Mix thoroughly until the perlite is evenly distributed throughout the blend. Store in a heavy-weight plastic bag and use for all succulents or cacti.
Light Requirements for Echeveria rainbow
This plant thrives in full sun. If growing indoors, place it in the sunniest area of your home to ensure it gets enough light throughout the day. A south-facing window is usually the best placement for Echeveria Rrainbow.
If your home is not well-lit, consider a grow light for your indoor plants.
Ideal Temperature for Echeveria rainbow
The ideal temperature for Echeveria rainbow is between 65-70 °F (18-21 °C). It is not frost-tolerant. For outdoor plantings, the recommended plant hardiness zone is zones 9a-11b. You can find your area’s growing zone with this interactive map.
If you live in an area that drops below freezing at any point in the year, grow your Echeveria rainbow indoors. In temperate regions, the plant can be kept outdoors in the warmer months and brought in for the winter.
How Often To Water Your Echeveria rainbow
Your Echeveria rainbow should be watered in a soak-and-dry pattern a few times a week. The plant requires a small drought in between waterings to stimulate root growth. This small stress helps the plant be as strong as possible and grow to its full potential.
All succulents are very sensitive to overwatering. It is essential to plant your succulent in a pot with a draining hole. You also need to make sure that the soil composition is correct.
This plant does best when watered consistently throughout the warm months and then less frequently in the wintertime. In the winter months, you can water one to two times a month to keep the soil from becoming hydrophobic.
To water your Echeveria rainbow, use a watering can with a pour spout and soak the plant until the water leaks out the bottom draining hole. Allow the soil to completely dry. Check this by touching the soil through the bottom drain hole. Once the soil is dry again, soak the soil once more.
The frequency of watering depends on where you live, but typically it will be every two to three days.
People frequently think that succulents only require watering through an occasional spritz from a spray bottle. This is not true for Echeveria rainbow, so be sure to water your plant as described here.
When To Fertilize Your Echeveria rainbow
Echeveria rainbow can be fertilized two to three times throughout the growing season. Keep in mind that these plants grow in poor soil, so fertilizing does not need to be done very frequently.
Fertilizing your succulent will help promote faster growth. To fertilize your Echeveria rainbow, there are a few options.
Compost Tea
Compost tea is a strong tea brewed in a bucket from a large linen bag filled with a blend of broken-down organic matter and manure. This tea is then poured over the plants with a watering can.
There are many commercially available compost teas. Compost teas can also be made at home.
A common method for DIY compost tea is to cut down nutrient-rich weeds such as dandelion, nettle, or comfrey and steep them in a bucket with cold water for two to four weeks. The liquid can then be strained and used as a fertilizer.
Granular Fertilizer
Granular fertilizers are blends of decomposed organic matter that resemble soil. They are often made with manure, kitchen scraps, leaf litter, or other organic materials.
Manure fertilizers are very effective. They can burn the delicate leaves of certain plants, so avoid cow manure fertilizers for your Echeveria rainbow. You can buy a chicken manure fertilizer and mix it in equal parts with potting soil. Place this blend near the base of the plant and water it in.
Compost blends are made with plant-based decay. If you have your compost pile at home, you can spread the finished compost at the base of your plants, just like the manure.
Worm castings are another popular fertilizer. These are from a composting process in which red worms are fed organic matter, and their waste is collected and used as fertilizer.
There are also commercial blends that combine many different elements into one formula. You can buy organic fertilizers especially made for succulents, and use them as directed.
Propagation of Echeveria rainbow
Propagating Echeveria rainbow can be done with leaf cuttings or by seed. The most common method is taking a leaf cutting. Seeds are available for purchase and can be a fun challenge for avid gardeners.
How To Do a Leaf Cutting
Taking and planting a leaf cutting from Echeveria rainbow is simple. This method should be done in the springtime.
- Cut two or three leaves at the base of the leaf, as close to the stem of the plant as possible.
- Lay the leaves out to dry for 48 hours until you see the cut tip has formed a callus.
- Place the cut end of the leaf into your succulent soil blend.
- Water the soil until water leaks from the bottom of the plant.
- Allow soil to dry, and then promptly re-soak one or two days after planting.
It is important to keep an eye on the soil and water as soon as it is dry. Be sure not to over-water and leave your plant saturated in water. This will prevent the roots from establishing, and the cutting will not grow.
Growing Echeveria rainbow From Seed
Growing Echeveria rainbow from seed requires attention and proper timing, but it can be done. The seeds germinate slowly and need to be kept moist and warm.
Here’s how to grow Echeveria rainbow from seed:
- Prepare your substrate. It should be a 1:1:1 mix of potting soil, sand, and perlite.
- Sanitize your container with alcohol. Sterilize the water for the first watering by boiling it.
- Lay the soil substrate into the sterilized container. You only need about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) of soil.
- Water the substrate with the boiled water until it is thoroughly soaked. Leave to cool down.
- Sprinkle the seeds atop the soil. Use a dry brush to make sure they are not touching each other.
- Do not let the substrate dry out. Water at room temperature water one to two times daily. You can cover the container with plastic, glass, or a ziplock bag to help retain moisture.
- Keep the seedling tray out of direct sunlight and in a place that is around 70 °F (21 °C). If the temperature drops below 68 °F, the seeds will not germinate.
- The seeds should begin to germinate within two weeks. Once the seedlings are strong enough, they can be transplanted.
The most important factors are to watch the temperature and keep the soil damp. This method of seed propagation is most successfully done outdoors during the Spring months. If you can control the conditions, then seeds can be planted at any time indoors.
Here’s a detailed video with tips and tricks for successfully starting Echeveria plants from seed:
Echeveria rainbow FAQs
Echeveria rainbows usually reach about six inches (15.24 cm) in diameter.
Yes, Echeveria rainbows will flower in the springtime once a year. They shoot up a knobbed spike with gorgeous blossoms along the spike.
Your Echeveria rainbow should be re-potted once a year for the first few years of growth. When the plant grows too big for its current container, it should be re-potted into a container that has a two-centimeter space around the rosette.
Fertilizing these succulents is technically not necessary, as they are capable of growing in very poor soil. That being said, fertilizing your Echeveria rainbow two to three times a year with a mild fertilizer will help promote lush growth.
Final Thoughts
Growing Echeveria rainbow is easy and delightful. All you need is soil, a well-lit space that won’t freeze in the wintertime, and a reliable water source.
Echeveria rainbows prefer full sun and a soak and dry water pattern. They grow well in moderate temperatures and will not tolerate freezing conditions. If planted in well-draining soil, Echeveria rainbow will thrive. Propagating your Echeveria rainbow can be done by leaf cuttings or from seed.
The mesmerizing pink and green stripes on this colorful succulent are sure to be a satisfying addition to your home garden or house plant collection.
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