About
Echeveria harmsii, the red echeveria, is an attractive, evergreen, subshrubby succulent to 30 cm with rosettes of narrow, intense-green, hairy leaves margined red. Tall, slender flower spikes in spring bear urn-shaped, red-and-yellow flowers. A rewarding and ornamental echeveria for a frost-free border or conservatory.
About the genus
Echeveria are evergreen succulent perennials or subshrubs from Mexico and Central America producing rosettes of colourful, fleshy leaves in shades of grey, green, blue, pink, red and purple, and racemes or panicles of small, urn-shaped, red, orange or yellow flowers on tall stems in summer.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toMexico
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added extra grit. Water moderately when in growth; not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season. See Echeveria and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown as soon as ripe or by root, stem or leaf cuttings in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids and vine weevils
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free