Echeveria Peacockii (Mexican Peacock)
Many people say succulents are hard to care for, but really, they just need different care from regular houseplants. They are cactuses, after all, and so they have different needs from leafy greens. All you need is a sunny location and the restraint to give it as much water as a desert plant needs.
How to Grow and Take Care of a Mexican Peacock Echeveria Succulent
Belonging to the Echeveria genus, the Mexican Peacock Echeveria or Echeveria Peacockii is a low-maintenance succulent. You can identify it by its spoon-shaped, blue-grey leaves with blushing red tips. At most, they’ll grow up to 12 inches in height and 6 inches in diameter. Give it enough love, and you might even be rewarded with lovely pink flowers sprouting from the center of the plant.
Light
These babies need a lot of sun. Find the window that receives the most sun indoors. If you’re planting outside, try to protect it from the most severe of sunlight as this could burn its leaves.
Soil
Overwatering is a common issue for succulents. You can avoid this by choosing soil with good drainage; the last thing you want is high water retention in your pot. There are soil mixes available specifically for succulents on the market. You can also make it yourself by mixing one part potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand, resulting in an ideal soil for your succulent.
Water
Like I’ve mentioned before, this is a desert plant and enjoys less water than the average houseplant. It’s far more harmful to overwater your Echeveria Peacockii than it is to under-water it. Let its soil dry between waterings.
Temperature
If you live in an area that experiences extreme cold, keep your Echeveria Peacockii indoors or in pots so you can move them indoors when winter hits. This plant needs warmth and sunlight year-round. Areas in USDA zones 9b through 11b will have the easiest time growing this succulent outdoors.
Fertilization
Since the plant in question is so accustomed to growing in poor quality soil, you don’t need to regularly put fertilizer. If you put too much fertilizer in the pot, you may actually cause a lot of damage. You’ll get leggy growth and freezer burn if you do that. If you really want to use fertilizer, try to find a cactus/succulent fertilizer and apply it once a year in the early spring. This will help your plant grow during the active growing period.
How to Repot a Mexican Peacock Echeveria
Just like other succulents, Echeveria Peacockii do not need regular repotting. This is due to their shallow root systems. The only time it’s necessary to repot an Echeveria Peacockii is once it has grown too large for its current pot. When you do repot the Echeveria Peacockii, make sure to be very careful as the root ball is prone to breaking. Gently remove the old soil from the roots and then refresh with new soil. Last but not the least, water the succulent to help the soil secure itself around the roots.
Conclusion
The Mexican Peacock Echeveria is a good starter plant for the budding gardener in you. It’s gorgeous year-round, grows indoors and outdoors, can fit on your desk, and is incredibly low maintenance. Just keep it in plenty of sunlight and give it a little bit of water, and in return, you’ll have a faithful, blushing companion.
Whether you have high-maintenance or low-maintenance plants at home, Houseplant Advisor is here to help you give your house plants the best care. We provide tips and guides that you’ll find useful for your plants. Check out our topics today!