The painted-lady is a succulent that is native to Mexico. It has little pagoda-shaped rosettes and deer-resistant red-tipped blooms. This plant is best grown in rock gardens and containers. It earned the Award of Garden Merit.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Echeveria derenbergii, the painted-lady, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, endemic to Mexico.
Echeveria is named for Atanasio EcheverrÃa y Godoy, a botanical illustrator who contributed to Flora Mexicana.
Echeveria derenbergii is an evergreen perennial succulent, growing to 10 cm (4 in). This charming plant is distinguished by its dense rosettes, which evoke the design of a traditional pagoda. Each rosette typically measures around 8 cm in diameter and is adorned with frosted, fleshy leaves that often boast hints of a reddish hue on their margins and tips.
Of particular note are the bristle-tipped leaves of Echeveria derenbergii, which are shaped like an ovate-cuneate and come to an abrupt sharp point. These robust leaves are typically about 4 cm long, 2.5 cm wide and 0.5 cm thick, adding an appealingly chunky aesthetic to the plant’s overall appearance.
The Painted Lady further delights with its bell-shaped flowers. These blooms are predominantly yellow, with the added flair of red-tipped ‘keels’, offering a unique visual contrast. The flowers appear on pinkish-red stems, blooming from late winter through to summer.
Echeveria derenbergii is cultivated as an ornamental plant for rock gardens and as a potted plant. Like other Echeverias, it rapidly produces a colony of small offsets which can be separated from the parent plant.
In cooler temperate regions, it requires winter protection, as it does not tolerate temperatures below −7 °C (19 °F); but it may be placed outside in a sheltered spot during summer months. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
II. How to Grow and Care
Painted-lady is a succulent known for its low maintenance and tolerance to neglect, making it an easy plant to care for. Key to its care is ensuring well-draining soil to prevent root rot and providing adequate sunlight for optimal growth and leaf coloration. Overwatering is a common issue to avoid; thus, water painted-lady sparingly, only when the soil is completely dry.
Sunlight
Painted-lady flourishes in full sun where it receives bright, unfiltered light for most of the day. This optimal exposure stimulates robust growth, vibrant foliage coloration, and the triggering of bloom cycles. When in partial sun, painted-lady maintains reasonable health, but its growth rate and flowering potential may diminish. While painted-lady can adapt to less intense light by adjusting leaf orientation and pigmentation, prolonged shade can lead to etiolation. Indoors, painted-lady prefers sunny windowsills, whereas outdoors, it should be positioned in south-facing beds or rockeries. Consistent with its native habitat, painted-lady values a well-lit environment for ideal vitality.
Temperature
Painted-lady grows in mild temperatures in spring and fall, and cannot resist extreme cold. If you are not in a warmer area, grow it as a potted plant better rather than directly in garden soil.
When the temperature is higher than 30 ℃ in summer, painted-lady may become dormant. When the temperature is lower than 5 ℃ in winter, move it indoors to avoid irreversible frostbite or death. Its growing season is in spring and fall, and it needs a little water. In summer and winter, when it is dormant, watering should be reduced.
Watering
Painted-lady thrives in arid environments, exhibiting a high drought tolerance that is reflective of its native habitat. It maintains moisture efficiently and prefers dry conditions over humidity. To mirror the water availability it would experience naturally, painted-lady should be watered once every 2-3 weeks, ensuring the soil has dried out completely between watering sessions. Typically grown indoors due to its size and ornamental appeal, painted-lady demonstrates resilience in container cultivation, where careful water management can prevent root rot and mimic natural dry cycles.
Soil
Painted-lady thrives in well-draining soil. A mix of 50% succulent & cactus soil with 50% perlite is ideal. If perlite is scarce, pumice or coarse sand are suitable substitutes. Ensure adequate drainage to prevent water-logging. During the growing season, a balanced, half-strength liquid fertilizer monthly can enhance growth.
Fertilizing
Fertilize painted-lady quarterly with a succulents-and-cacti-specific formula, diluting to half-strength to prevent root burn. Fertilization boosts growth and flower production, especially during active spring and summer months. Avoid over-fertilization, as painted-lady requires minimal nutrients. Refrain from feeding in winter when painted-lady is dormant. For effectiveness, apply on moist soil and ensure even distribution around the plant’s base without touching the foliage.
Planting Instructions
When planting, add the hydrophobic layer to the flowerpot first, and then a small amount of soil of the planting layer. Then spread out the roots and put them in. Cover the root with planting soil slowly. Add the top decorative layer, and finally, water once. To plant in the garden, dig a pit 1.5-2 times the size of the root system first, and then follow the above steps.
In order to make it grow better and faster, or if the roots are too dense or unhealthy, it needs to be repotted. Repotting in spring and fall. Before repotting, stop watering a few days in advance. Once the soil is dried, you can gently knock the pot outside. Or you can use a knife to separate the soil from the pot. Gently pull the plant up slightly to ease it out of the pot, and then follow the steps described above.
Though you can plant different colors of succulent plants together, avoid planting succulent plants with different growth habits together. Some succulents need water in the summer, while others don’t. If they are planted together, one will become sick due to excessive watering, while the other may wither due to insufficient water.
Pruning
In order to keep a beautiful shape, large succulent plants may need pruning. For example, for echeveria planted in the garden, redundant branches or branches that are too dense need to be cut off in spring and fall. This depends on the plant’s purpose and your preference. Tools for pruning mainly include knives, scissors, and some medicines (such as sulfur powder).
In order to propagate new plants, cut some leaves in spring and fall. Select a stout stem with 5-6 leaves. Cut it off with a knife, then smear the wound with sulfur powder, and plant it after the wound is healed. Slightly wet the soil used for planting.
Propagation
Painted-lady is a succulent that thrives with specific care requirements. For best results in propagation, ensure a well-draining soil mixture, providing a stable environment for root development. Leaf cuttings are most effective; gently twist a leaf from the stem, ensuring it’s intact. Allow the cutting to be callous over for a few days before placing on soil. Mist the soil lightly without saturating it to encourage roots. Patience is key as roots and new growth may take several weeks to appear. Consistency in care is essential for the successful propagation of painted-lady.
Transplanting
The prime time to rehome painted-lady is during the vernal rejuvenation, when they can acclimate with ease. Choose a bright, indirect light spot with excellent drainage to foster growth. If crowded, gently encourage painted-lady into larger spaces for optimal vitality.
Repotting
Repot painted-lady every 2 years in spring, when its compact rosette shape can rebound from transplant shock before peak growth. Choose a container slightly larger than the current one to accommodate its root system without risk of waterlogging. Post-repotting care involves minimal watering to encourage root health. This succulent thrives in well-draining soil within a pot that compliments its petite size.
III. Uses and Benefits
Painted-lady is perfect for rock gardens or containers.
