Echeveria rainbow is a spectacular plant which belongs to the family Crassulaceae. It is a dwarf succulent and would undoubtedly grace the whole landscape wherever you place them.
They consist of unique colored leaves and along with a pattern which is unique to them too. They would grow vigorously and remarkably well if you provide the right care tips and the right growing conditions for them.
They are not toxic plants. Hence you may grow them as houseplants without any hesitation. Echeveria rainbow plants are perennial plants, and they produce flowers which are showy with no fragrance.
How do I identify the echeveria rainbow?
You may use their leaves to identify the Echeveria rainbow plants.
As explained in the beginning of the article, they grow in such a manner which is unique to them. The Echeveria rainbow has thick, juicy and velvety leaves.
Those leaves grow in tight clusters and form rosettes. Due to this characteristic many people tend to grow them as ornamental plants.
Usually, they have a green color in the center of the leaves, and it later turns out to be pink in color. That feature makes these plants more interesting.
You may use Echeveria rainbow flowers to identify them too. Their blooms are bell shaped and you can usually spot them forming from the stalks.
Echeveria rainbow flowers do not carry any specific fragrance. However, it would be a treat to watch them in full blossom.
Echeveria rainbow are evergreen plants which literally means they remain to be the fresh plants right throughout. Hence why, many people prefer to add them into their house plants collections.
Size of the plant
Echeveria rainbow are dwarf succulents, and they would be only 15 cm widespread.
Growth rate
Echeveria rainbow are slow growing plants just like the rest of the other plants in their family. You need to stay patient until they grow to their fullest potential. Echeveria rainbows are hardy plants which could survive for a long time.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Echeveria rainbow |
| Common Name | Echeveria rainbow |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 15 cm widespread |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sunlight to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well draining sandy |
| Soil pH | 5.5-6.0 Acidic |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b |
| Toxicity | Non toxic |
| Average price | 5 USD |
How do you take care of the echeveria rainbow?
Echeveria rainbow could grow well right throughout the year if you fulfil their basic necessities. They only require a minor maintenance from you.
Light Requirement
Echeveria rainbow requires a significant amount of light level to thrive well. They would grow well given that you provide them direct sunlight and semi shade as well.
In other words, you should expose them to full sunlight for six hours.
Try to expose them for full sunlight in the morning and do not expose them for full sunlight during mid afternoon since the sunrise will be too harsh then.
The less exposure for sunlight could make them etiolated and lose their attractiveness in the colors as well.
Temperature and humidity
In addition to providing sufficient sunlight, it is important that you provide them sufficient temperature levels also to grow well.
If we further elaborate on the right temperature levels in summer, they are fond of growing in temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit – 70 degrees Fahrenheit ( 18 degrees Celsius – 21 degrees Celsius).
Further, refrain in exposing these plants for temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit ( 10 degrees Celsius).
Is it cold hardy?
Echeveria rainbows are not cold hardy plants.
USDA hardiness Zone
Echeveria rainbow likes warmer weather conditions to thrive well. The USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b would be ideal for them.
Watering Requirement
Supplying these plants with adequate water levels is crucial when looking after these plants well.
You need to water them on a constant basis so that they can continue to grow well and maintain their beauty.
You should be extra careful when watering them during spring or summer. Ideally you need to make the soil moist and not soggy with watering.
Apart from that, it is vital that you let the soil become dry between two watering sessions also. Do not ever supply excessive water levels in winter.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
Echeveria rainbow prefers to grow in a well-draining soil mix which has a pH of around 6.
In other words, it should be slightly acidic so that the growth of the plants would be benefited from that.
You could consider adding elements such as coarse sand pumice and perlite if you wish to further better the draining of the soil mix.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
A terracotta pot or a clay pot would be ideal to grow these plants.
When you grow them in such pots, it will evaporate the excess moisture in the potting medium faster.
When it comes to repotting, you may do it occasionally only.
For example, if you spot the plants have become larger than what they were, you need to consider transplanting them in a slightly larger pot. However, ensure that you do it only when their soil is dry only.
First take out the plant from the pot and get rid of the older sil around the roots. Next, see whether there are any damaged roots and if you spot any you could use a fungicide to treat those cuttings.
When repotting always go ahead with a slightly larger pot and with a new soil medium as well.
Where to Plant
Echeveria rainbow’s prominent growing requirement is receiving sufficient sunlight levels. Hence when selecting a place to grow them ensure that they can gain sufficient sunlight levels.
If you add them in your garden, choose a spot where they can gain morning sunlight and afternoon shade.
Apart from this, they want warmer temperature levels also to thrive well. So, if you are someone who lives in colder areas, it would be better if you could grow them as indoor plants.
Fertilizer and time of year
In terms of feeding these plants, you could go ahead with a diluted fertilizer once a week. That should also be done only once a week.
When you dilute them and use them, it will ensure that the nutrients are released gradually. Best is to use a fertilizer which is 20-20-20 and use it at a quarter strength.
If you feed young plants, you need to proceed with a fertilizer which has a low component of nitrogen.
Dormancy
Many succulents go into dormancy during winter and the Echeveria rainbow is no different to them.
During their period, they will consume any of their energy. Do not leave them exposed to frost conditions though.
Can be toxic to pets
Echeveria rainbows are nontoxic. Hence you may leave the plants with the kids or with pets without worrying about it.
Common bugs and illnesses
Echeveria rainbow can resist any pest attack or a disease usually. However, pests such as mealybugs are attractive towards these plants and make the plants’ health deteriorate.
Apart from that, if you forget to remove the dead leaves of the plants, it will make the plants more prone towards further fungal growth and make the plants more attractive for other insects and pests.
It is crucial that you expose them to proper sunlight levels and water them properly so that you will never come across these issues.
If one of these care tips fall apart, it would result in unnecessary problems such as pests’ attacks, root in the plants.
Special Care tips
I recommend pruning these plants so that it will give a fresh look for the plants , particularly if you spot any dead leaves in the plants, you need to immediately remove them
How to propagate echeveria rainbow
Propagating the Echeveria rainbow is an easy and simple process. You may use either leaf cutting or offsets to propagate them.
Moreover, you could also use their seeds to propagate them. What is commonly used to propagate these plants is the leaf cutting method.
To do that you could simply select a healthy plump looking leaf. Next make a neat cutting of the leaf while using a sterile scissor.
After that place the leaf in the cacti or in the succulent mix. Finally, you may cover the dish and stay patient until they form roots.
Echeveria rainbow plant benefits
Echeveria rainbows are useful as ornamental plants. Further you may grow them as indoor plants too. In addition to that these are quite popular plants for air purification.
They could remove the poisonous toxins in the air and improve the air quality. They would further fit in for outdoor gardens as well.
Conclusion
Echeveria rainbow are such spectacular looking plants which you could grow with minimum maintenance.
All you need to do is to expose them to bright indirect sunlight for a few hours and water them properly. It is that simple to look after them.
The ability to purify the air and the non toxicity for pets and for the kids is one more interesting feature to have in your houseplant collection.
Read Next : Echeveria Lutea | An Unusual And Beautiful Succulent | Echeveria Chihuahuaensis Variegated | Learn About These Small Beauties Echeveria Laui | What Do You Know About This Beautiful Succulent ?
