About
Echeveria runyonii, silver spoons, is an attractive, evergreen succulent forming a stemless rosette to 12 cm across of fleshy, silvery-grey, spoon-shaped leaves. In summer, arching stems bear orange flowers above the glaucous foliage. One of the most popular and ornamental of all glaucous-leaved echeverias.
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
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
Native toMexico
Care notes
CultivationGrow in cactus compost in bright, filtered light. When in growth water moderately and feed monthly with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in winter. Stand plants outside during the summer months, having acclimatised them to direct sun. See Echeveria and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed at 18°C in early spring or by leaf cuttings in early summer. Separate offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevil and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free