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Cacti & Succulents

Need Help Identifying Succulent & Tips for How to Care for It!

8 years ago

Hello!

I got a succulent around two months ago and I'm having some trouble properly caring for it because I don't know what kind of succulent it is. It wasn't labeled with any name, and I've tried to figure out what kind of succulent it is but haven't had any luck. If anyone could identify what kind of succulent it is, I would really appreciate your help!

This is also the first succulent I've owned, and the leaves look sort of unhealthy, but I don't know what to do to improve this... Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Here is the succulent:

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Comments (4)

Nicholas C.
8 years ago
Looks like an Echeveria of some kind. I can't tell from the picture, but do the leaves have fuzz on them? looks to me like it may be getting too much water. How often are you watering it? Also it's etiolated, but may be getting better light now as the rosette's new growth is more compact now.
Hannah thanked Nicholas C.
Hannah
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you! I usually water it once every few days, when the soil is dry. And yes, the leaves are fuzzy! The leaves also look a bit sunburnt, if that makes sense? And one of the leaves is yellowing on the end and it isn't as firm at the end like it used to be.
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Cristina Is the soil you used (cacti&succulent soil) made by you or bought? If purchased, are those ingredients listed on the bag? I am sorry to say but mix of loam, sand and peat is not suitable for succulents. They need potting mix, quite grainy, that allows for good drainage and air exchange. It would not be one made of fine particulates you are mentioning. I am not quite sure about correct names of your succulents, but they all need just about the same: well draining mix, container with drainage hole, good air circulation, good light. Leaning could be caused by wet conditions that weaken the stems, or by lack of light. The 3rd plant may be Crassula ovata, the jade plant. I am surprised that it lived in darker conditions and overwatered for years. I think you are doing right thing by letting it spend time outdoors as much as possible, but the mix should be replaced. Especially if the roots were in poor condition - they could deteriorate further by being in water retaining mix. The pot looks little large for the plant. Bigger pot contains much more soil and if it has poor drainage, overwatering could happen very easily. It could be very nice plant; the coloration is happening from the sunlight and there is nothing wrong with that.
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I know the buttom one will be easy to propagate because it's fleshy, the top one might be one that roots from cuttings. You can buy some perlite, it's easy to find in stores like home depot or Lowe's and mix it in so the ratio is at least 50% perlite to increase drainage. Also it looks like they're in terracotta pots so I'm assuming they have holes in the bottom. Succulents hate being wet too long and they'll rot if so. By too long I mean like soaking wet for even three days causes them to die *from experience. The bottom leaves will wither, it's a natural thing succulents do as they get older. If it's grown sidewards then that's called etoliation, where it stretches out looking for light.
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Hi Chelsea. If no-one else answers, create a new thread. I reckon that more people would be likely to check it out. Lovely looking plants :) Funny how it's so similar to this thread, even the plants lol. I could give only some advice but I think it would be better not to do anything with the plants until your ready with everything at hand from the suggestions from others here that know a lot more than me. First thing I'd do is to get some pots that have large drainage holes. You might be advised to get one a bit bigger for the bottom right one. You'll definitely be told/advised to get a pot for the one in the glass. Also the mix advised above is what probably most here use. Half cactus and Succulent potting mix and half perlite, but the Perlite needs to be sieved or rinsed first. Both can be bought at garden centres and places like that. I hope it all goes well for you and your lovely plants :)
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Comments (11)
Kara, Currently I leave both the plants at my east-facing window sill at which sunlight is available for around 8am to 10am. And I plan to increase the sunlight exposure by an hour a week. Hopefully, they can enjoy themselves =) P/s: I live in the southern region in which the weather is still sunny and not quite humid at this time of year ^^. Btw, being curious about location and some private information is welcoming here as it is part of our norms, so no worries :))) Frank, Wow, so this one is the hybrid between the Sedum and Echeveria? Patrick, Ok, so it should be fine to leave them there a week before watering again. I also wonder whether gradual sunlight adjustment like I plan is ok or it is too long? P/s: about the ID yeah we should wait for more comments to confirm. These echies are sometimes too shy to reveal their true forms, or they just love to make us confused xD Thank you all for being very informative and enthusiastic in supporting me ^^
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Nicholas C.
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The fuzzy leaves make the ID a bit easier, for me at least.

My guess would be Echeveria pulvinata, though Echeveria setosa also has fuzzy leaves. There is an Echeveria 'Doris Taylor' that is a hybrid of the 2 if I remember correctly.

As with most Echeverias they like full sun, but must be acclimatized to it. "Fuzzy" Echeveria are reported to be more cold hardy than the other species and said to withstand temperatures down to around 25F (though I've never personally tested this)

Still think it might be getting too much water. Your watering frequency seems correct but it still looks overwatered, making me think that the soil isn't drying out fast enough. I only say this because the lower leaves look a bit translucent which I think is caused by excess water, kind of like edema. Could try changing it to a faster draining soil (repot it with more pumice or perlite) and see if that helps, or reduce watering a bit to like once a week or every 10 days.. just don't let the roots dry out too much or they may have problems.

Hopefully someone else will weigh in on this, I'm still a novice when it comes to succulents.
Hannah thanked Nicholas C.
kaktuskris
8 years ago
As Nicholas stated, your plant looks like an Echeveria, a plant I do
not grow myself. The soil is too water retentive, and your plant is
etiolated, stretched due to lack of light. Echeveria need the brightest
light possible to avoid etiolation. A faster draining potting mix in a
clay pot, with much brighter light is what your plant requires if you
want it to thrive.Christopher
Hannah thanked kaktuskris

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