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Echeveria agavoides

The species name ‘agavoides’ means ‘looking like an agave’, and this can be understood when studying this single-stemmed echeveria, which forms a large rosette about 12 x 30cm. Hailing from Mexico, it is commonly referred to as the lipstick or wax echeveria.

The leaves of Echeveria agavoides are waxy and apple-green, and thick and triangular in shape ending in a sharp point (not really a spine), which can turn a blood-red shade in bright light. Leaf margins can also be rusty red, depending on the form you can lay your hands on and also influenced by growing conditions.

It flowers in summer, with slender stems of pink, orange or red tubular flowers with petals tipped in dark yellow. This plant likes full sun or bright light and watering in summer, but a cold and dry winter when watering should be limited to just enough to stop the plant from shrivelling up.

Unlike other echeverias, this one is rather solitary, but old and healthy plants will produce offsets that can be divided from the mother rosette to propagate more plants. If you have the heart to do it, the plant can be dug up from its pot to take stem cuttings, which should soon root after a period of callusing over. Leaf propagation (as you would use with other echeverias) does not seem to be successful.

If you are looking for other plants that are waterwise and beat the heat, we’ve got you covered! Check out our list here >

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The Gardener