What Is Echeveria Minima?

Echeveria minima, commonly known as the miniature Echeveria, is a flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family endemic to northeast Mexico. It grows in clusters of little blue-green rosettes with pink margins and produces yellow bell-shaped blooms in the spring. It is a succulent that has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Garden Merit Award.

Echeveria minima has little blue-green rosettes with pink leaf margins. In the spring, it produces yellow bell-shaped blooms from a spike. It is not cold-hardy, meaning it will not withstand temperatures below 20° F (-6.7° C), and it is winter dormant, which means it does not grow throughout the winter.

E. minimum will develop little offsets that shoot up around the base of the primary plant, causing it to expand into clusters. Offsets that have developed roots can be separated from the parent to become new individuals.

How Do You Care For Echeveria Minima?

Echeveria minima is a succulent that requires well-drained soil and regular watering. It will not tolerate wet roots or continual exposure to high moisture.

Water regularly from the base of the plant until water runs from the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, then allow to dry out slightly before watering again.

During winter months, when Echeveria minima is dormant, water only enough to keep it alive; do not let it become completely dry. The following are the factors to consider when caring for Echeveria minima;

Soil:

Grafted Echeveria minima plants should be planted in a fast-draining soil that is no more than 2 percent clay (peat moss based mixes are okay). The soil should be amended with gravel, coarse sand, pumice, broken pottery pieces, or lava rock. For example if you plant it in pure cactus mix the roots will grow in the wrong direction and will not have enough air. Echeveria minima does not transplant well; this process often results in root loss.

Watering:

Echeveria minima is most active in spring and fall when the plant is active. In spring, it prefers to soak up moisture and in fall, Echeveria minima should be allowed to dry out between watering sessions. During the summer months, Echeveria minima should be kept moist but not wet. Although Echeveria minima is hardy in USDA zones 9-11, it is susceptible to root rot if not watered properly.

Avoid standing water in the center of the pot, which can lead to root rot. Water from beneath instead so that water does not collect in the center of the plant’s container. Allow soil to dry slightly between watering as this will prevent fungal growth (this also applies to fertilizing). Use a soft spray bottle if possible; this allows for more even watering and prevents damage to foliage.

Sunlight:

Echeveria minima is a sun-loving plant and will grow in filtered shade up to full sun. Ensure that the plant does not have too much light in order for it to survive winter dormancy.

Temperature:

Echeveria minima prefers temperatures between 68 and 80 degrees F, but it can tolerate temperatures up to 100 degrees F if kept in proper conditions (not allowing root rot). The soil temperature should be kept between 50 and 70 degrees F.

Because the Echeveria Minima is not cold resilient, avoid growing it outside during the harsh winter months. It will perish in cold and freezing conditions if grown in temps below 30° F (-1.1° C). During the chilly winter months, relocate and nurture this succulent indoors.

Humidity:

Echeveria minima humidity changes according on location and time of year, however for best development, the relative humidity should be kept around 40%. When humidity is too high, the plant may display yellowed foliage. Low humidity will also cause dry soil and can lead to root rot. For best results, keep a small water tray under each individual rooted Echeveria minima in order to help with the most recent stages of rooting.

Fertilizing:

Fertilize when soil is dry. You can use a typical houseplant fertilizer or a diluted cactus fertilizer. Water the plant in before and after each feeding, making sure to flush out any excess fertilizer that runs into the soil. It’s best to fertilize during spring and summer when Echeveria minima is actively growing.

Propagation:

Echeveria minima can be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings, seeds and offsets. When propagating from a leaf cutting, wait at least two months before attempting to propagate. Remove lower leaves and allow top growth to dry for one to two weeks. Place leaf in rooting medium. When Echeveria minima begins to form offsets, it is time for separation. The offset should be removed when it has reached about 5mm in diameter or it will be difficult to separate from the parent plant.

Repotting:

Echeveria minima should be repotted every two years in spring (when it is actively growing) or when it has filled out the pot. Use a pot that is no deeper than 1/2 the circumference of the plant to prevent root rot. It is best to repot in the winter so that roots do not have to withstand cold weather; this will prolong their life.

When repotting, remove all soil and shake dry soil off of leaves and bottom of container. Use a potting mix that does not contain more than 2 percent clay. Make sure to spread the roots out in the bottom of the new container and bury them slightly. Add enough new soil on top to cover the rosettes, then tamp down gently so that it settles around the plant.

Pruning:

Echeveria minima is fast growing and will require cutting back the central rosette to maintain its shape. If you are trying to keep it small, you can prune the tips in order to encourage lateral branching. Cut at an angle with a sharp, clean blade to help them heal faster and prevent bacterial growth. Trim just above a leaf node, which is where leaves sprout from.

Blooming:

Echeveria minima blooms during spring and fall. It produces a single hermaphrodite (male on the left and female on the right) flower. Flowering occurs when temperatures are between 68-80 degrees F. During winter dormancy, Echeveria minima only produces tubers or offsets, which means that flowering is not possible. To produce flowering, it is best to place it outside during the winter months; this will allow for bloom production and will lessen chance of frost damage.

Pests and Diseases:

Echeveria minima is susceptible to mealybugs are the most prevalent form of pest encountered on Echeveria minima succulents. These small insects are white and are located towards the plant’s crown. They consume plant sap by introducing a style into the tissue of young leaves and stems. If this occurs, the plant is sometimes uprooted.

Other pests that can cause damage to the plant include scale insects, which secrete a resinous substance onto the leaves. This is often mistaken for contamination by aphids and is readily removed by hand picking or using a soft brush in order to avoid harming the healthy tissue of the leaf.

How often do you water Echeveria Minima?

The Echeveria minima succulent requires watering every one to two weeks. Always allow the soil to become totally dry before watering again. Echeveria Minima does best when the soil does not dry out completely in between watering attempts. To gauge moisture within the potting mixture, you may take a pinch of the soil and squeeze it real hard.

If it crumbles without breaking, then you water. If it breaks into pieces, then you do not need to water. Overwatered plants will have wilted leaves and stems that appear limp and unhealthy looking; under-watered plants will turn pale yellow or white, with brown leaves turning crispy or dead looking. You should also ensure that you water Echeveria Minima, use a watering can or hose with a nozzle on it.

Water until you can feel the moisture come to your fingers, approximately 1/2 inch deep. Remember, the soil should be dry in between watering attempts. Also, never leave your plant sitting in a saucer of water. You should also remember to water the soil and not the plant itself.

When watering the plant, do so from below only; this will avoid getting water in the leaves which can promote disease. Too much water will cause the roots to rot and eventually kill the plant. This succulent does not need to be wet through and through like a fresh geranium in order to grow normally.

It is recommended that you water Echeveria Minima when the soil is dry and turn the plant over to distribute the water. The roots should be completely saturated, but not wet to the core of the soil. You can also use potted succulents that are grown in containers that are designed to be used as instant water dispensers; this will help you to keep your plant healthy and ready for seasonal trimming.

Is Echeveria Minima A Hardy Plant?

Echeveria minima is a very hardy and drought tolerant plant. It grows well in both dry and wet environments as long as it does not receive too little water. However, if the potting mix is too hard or dry for it to grow properly, then it will produce small patches of leaves at the base of the plant instead of normal growth. In this case, the soil should be softened by adding a small amount of pumice stone per each cubic inch of soil.

The temperature of Echeveria Minima should also be watched carefully. If the plant is allowed to freeze, it will likely die. However, if during the winter months Echeveria Minima receives too much sun, it will most likely dry out and stop growing until it receives more water.

You should also be careful not to place your plant in direct sunlight during the summer months, as this can cause yellowing of the leaves. You should also be careful not to place your plant in direct sunlight during the summer months, as this can cause yellowing of the leaves.

If you live in a very warm, sunny environment and you are sure that you are providing a sufficient amount of water for your succulent, then it is best to reduce the frequency of watering until it has adjusted to its new condition and is showing no signs of wilting.

You should also be careful to ensure that you do not over water Echeveria Minima, as this will cause the soil to become soggy and cause the roots to rot. You can also use other types of succulents as house plants or outdoor plants that can endure cooler temperatures or a little sun exposure.