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Echeveria “Lipstick”, also known as Echeveria agavoides, is a small, stemless succulent plant with a rosette of fleshy leaves that occasionally produces offsets.
Latin name
Echeveria agavoides
Pronunciation
(“ek-hev-EH-ree-yah agg-ah-VOY-deez”)
Common name
Echeveria agavoides
Origin
Mexico
The leaves are green, triangular and resemble those of the agave (hence the specific name) – a completely unrelated species. Some varieties reddish tips and leaf margins, and some have a thin waxy coating on the leaves – this is natural (it acts as a sun screen) and should not be cleaned off.
Pink, orange or red flowers may appear in summer appear on slender stalks that may be as much as 50cm high.
Echeveria, like most succulents, must have a period of darkness every day in order to photosynthesize. This is an adaptation to preserve moisture. The pores in the leaves (stomata) open only at night, to reduce the risk of the plant drying out. This means that carbon dioxide from the air is absorbed at night and chemically stored as malic acid. When the sun comes out, the stomata close to prevent moisture loss, and the carbon dioxide is released into the tissue of the plants where it reacts with sunlight and water to produce carbohydrates.
Non-toxic to pets and humans. It is a safe, pet-friendly succulent suitable for households with cats and dogs.
caring for your plant
Light
High. Will tolerate direct sunlight.
Watering
Very little water is needed and the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering.
Pruning
When the plant is mature, offsets may be produced, which can be cut off and rooted to make new plants. It is also possible to take leaf cuttings to grow new plants.
Feeding
A little dilute fertilizer can be added to the water every time you water the plant – especially in the summer.
pest & diseases
Generally pest free, but might be attractive to mealybugs. These can be easily removed from the plant.
Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.
According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.
Find out more about Ecoponic here.
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