How Do You Care For Echeveria Raindrops?

Echeveria Raindrops are succulents that need very little care. They need a soil that drains well and will need to be watered only when the soil is dry. During the winter, they will need less water. They can be fertilized monthly with a balanced fertilizer.

The soil for Raindrops should be well drained. A succulent mix or cactus potting soil is perfect. Water the plant sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering. Fertilize once a month with a diluted succulent fertilizer.

Echeveria ‘Raindrops’ is a hardy succulent and can tolerate cold winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees F. In colder areas, bring the plant inside during the winter. The following are factors to consider when caring for Echeveria Raindrops;

Sunlight:

Echeveria Raindrops need strong light, but for best growth and flower production, they should be grown in bright light. You can place them on an east-facing window which will give them bright light all day.

When you are growing Echeveria Raindrops indoors, it is best to provide bright light and indirect sunlight. They prefer a lot of indirect sunlight which helps the plant photosynthesize better. Indoors, you can place them in a sunny window.

When growing your plant outdoors, give it full sun for best results. Full sun will help the plant warm up faster during the winter. If your area is cloudy or overcast during winter, Echeveria Raindrops should be brought inside for winter care.

Soil:

Echeveria Raindrops require a well-draining soil. A cactus mix or even a container with holes in the bottom (like an old terrarium) are good for them. Use a cactus potting soil or a succulent mix. Both will help you with soils that drain well. If you have heavier, clay soil, it is best to add extra perlite to the soil and mix it well.

Watering:

Echeveria raindrops retain water in their “droplets,” yet they still require enough drainage to survive. Wait till the earth is totally dry before watering your Raindrops again. Echeveria Raindrops generally like to be watered only when the soil is dry. If you’re growing them in a pot, you should check the soil before watering.

You can also use a moisture meter to test the soil’s texture. When watering your Echeveria Raindrops, try to avoid getting the leaves wet and make sure the soil has had a chance to dry between watering. If you live in a very hot and dry area, you can increase your watering cycle because they will require more water.

Temperature:

Echeveria Raindrops prefer warmer temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Echeveria Raindrops should be brought in before a hard freeze and kept in a cool area during the winter. A cool basement or garage is perfect for this plant.

They do not like to be exposed to freezing temperatures. If you live in a cold climate, make sure that you bring your plant inside before the first freeze. When indoors, place on an east-facing window. You can also keep your plant outdoors if the temperature is above 40 degrees F.

Humidity:

Echeveria Raindrops grows well in hot, dry climates. They generally do not withstand frigid temperatures or cold winds well, and excessive humidity can cause root rot. Indoors, Echeveria Raindrops grows well under ordinary room settings with roughly 40% – 50% humidity.

An indoor humidifier is a good choice for this plant. If you do not have a humidifier, you can place Echeveria Raindrops on a tray of wet pebbles or place them next to a bathroom sink.

Fertilizing:

Echeveria Raindrops require very little fertilizer. Fertilize your Echeveria Raindrops once a month during the spring, summer, and fall. Use a balanced fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. Avoid fertilizing during the winter.

Repotting:

When growing Echeveria Raindrops outdoors, repot them every year because of their shallow root system. Echeveria Raindrops should be repotted in spring or summer when the weather starts to warm up. Before you repot your plant, take a soil sample from the top of the soil in order to determine its moisture level.

Propagating:

Echeveria Raindrop are easy to propagate from leaf-cutting, seeds and offset. The best time to do this is in spring or summer when new growth is developing. Take the leaf that you want to propagate from and cut off the tip. In order for it to flower, you have to remove the stems which have developed below the leaf. This is called a “riming.”

To do this, cut through the stem from both sides so that no part of it will seal together. Take this stem and place it in a small glass of water and let it sit until roots sprout. You can also use a sharp knife to cut off leaves and flowers as they develop.

Pruning:

When you start to see the first signs of flower buds form, you should prune your Echeveria Raindrops as to encourage branching and larger flowers. Use a sharp knife and cut a small number of leaves from the stalk. The tops should be removed about halfway up the stem. You can also cut your stems just above where new leaves have begun to appear on either side of the stem. This will encourage the plant to branch out and produce larger flowers.

Blooming:

The Echeveria Raindrops blooms with exquisite bell-shaped flowers ranging from white to pink when exposed to direct sunlight. To promote blooming, give your Raindrops an extra hour of sunlight and try adding a drop of liquid fertilizer when you water the succulent. When outdoors which is where these plants are happiest put them near an east facing window so that they can get plenty of direct sunlight all day long.

Pests and Diseases:

Echeveria Raindrops are often pest and disease resistant. In order to prevent these diseases, they prefer clean, well-drained soil. They can spread by spores, so you should avoid overwatering. If you suspect that your plant is infected with root rot or a fungal infection, spray the plant with 70% rubbing alcohol to sterilize the soil and remove any fungus that may be growing in the soil. Spray it thoroughly as alcohol evaporates quickly and will evaporate before it has time to do any damage.

How Tall Can Echeveria Raindrops Grow?

The Echeveria Raindrop, native to Mexico, is a succulent that grows best in dry, hot climates. Hardy in zones 9-11, it can reach a height of up to 10-60 cm, with a spread of 10-50 cm. It has a rosette of blue-green leaves with red tips, and produces pink or white flowers in spring or summer.

Raindrops are easy to care for, requiring little water and very little fertilizer. In cold winter climates, they should be overwintered indoors. When growing Raindrops, they prefer frequent, light watering. If you see the leaves starting to shrink or curl up and grow larger, it’s time to water. Avoid overwatering; this will cause root rot.

The soil should be kept evenly moist, but never waterlogged. Place the Echeveria Raindrops in a sunny spot and water it every other day with a 1/3 strength fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the concentration recommended on the bottle. Notice how the leaves are opening up.

As it gets warmer, you can begin to increase watering frequency, using two times weekly when it reaches room temperature or once per week when temperatures reach 75º F. Do not allow Echeveria Raindrops to dry out during this time until it is well established.

Un-pot your plant and plant it in a new pot after a few years, and give it plenty of room for its roots to spread. Never repot during the winter because the plant is in its dormant stage and needs the rest. If you want bigger Echeveria Raindrops, you can take cuttings from a healthy leaf and place it into water, with light exposure (not direct sunlight) until the leaf takes root.

Are Echeveria Raindrops Plants Harmful?

Echeveria raindrops are not harmful to humans or animals. They are drought tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of conditions, from full sun to part shade. They can be grown as house plants or outdoor plants in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Echeveria raindrops are succulents that are native to Mexico.

The fact is that Echeveria Raindrops plants are non-toxic. This means that they are not harmful to humans or animals if they are ingested. However, this does not mean that they are necessarily safe. These plants can be harmful if they come into contact with skin and eyes.

The leaves of the Echeveria, when touched, emit a mildly sweet odor. The leaves of the Echeveria have a weakly sweet odor, similar to that of citronella, while the flowers have no odor. Some Echeveria Raindrops have a strong smell when cut.

Some people also have an allergic reaction because of the presence of toxins that may be produced by the plant. Some people experience skin irritation when getting them in their mouth, some get it on other parts of their body and some get it in the eyes. The leaves of Echeveria Raindrops are toxic if consumed, and eating them can cause stomach cramps or possibly nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.