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Echeveria atropurpurea
Place ideally in a sunny location.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can tolerate -6.7 °C in the short term, but the plant is not hardy.
The origin of the plant is not entirely clear. Some experts consider it to be a succulent hybrid, others a separate species. It was first described in 1870 as Cotyledon atropurpurea, but this name was dropped.
Echeveria atropurpurea has a rich history and not very clear origin. Some experts believe that it could be a succulent hybrid. The first description of this plant, as Cotyledon atropurpurea, appeared as early as 1870 in Saunders Refugium Botanicum.
The leaves grow arranged in dense rosettes that can reach up to 20 cm in diameter. Leaf colour ranges from dark green to brownish red and the leaves are covered with a characteristic grey-brown waxy coating. They are usually oval or vane-shaped and can grow up to 12.5 cm long and 5 cm wide. The short stems are very sturdy and have a waxy appearance.
One of the most striking features of this plant are its flowers. They appear in winter on upright stems that can grow up to 30 cm high. The flowers are bright red, bell-shaped and very decorative.
Echeveria atropurpurea is not a fan of fertiliser and care should be taken when overwatering. On the other hand, it thrives in full sun. Echeveria is a beautiful succulent plant that will impress in any collection with its colour and interesting history.