Happy Urban Dirt

Echeveria gibbiflora is one of the succulents most similar to Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg (It’s no less so if it’s the parent species of this one.) But what else do you know about this plant?

If you are a lover of succulents and are still learning about the different echeverias that exist on the planet, learn the most essential characteristics of this plant, as well as its care. Let’s get started?

What does Echeveria gibbiflora look like?

Echeveria gibbiflora is also known as donkey ear or cow tongue. This species is native to Mexico and Guatemala, and in its natural habitat it can reach a height of up to 50 centimeters. Its rosettes can be up to 20 centimeters in diameter, which can give you an idea of ​​how substantial it can get.

The leaves are oval in shape, reddish or bluish in color (in fact, you can find two types, one with green leaves that turn red in the sun, and the other with silver leaves that turn blue in the sun). They tend to bend as they grow.

In fact, The reason Echeveria gibbiflora got its name is because of what its leaves do. And this very name, gibbiflora, comes from Latin and means “humped leaves”.

Continuing the topic, you should know that they are quite fleshy because water is stored in them.

It grows very quickly and is one of the largest echeverias in the plant kingdom.

Finally, both in summer and autumn, it is able to bloom. The flowers are diminutive but very pretty, obscure pink, with yellow-red inside. For this purpose, the echeveria produces a flower shoot about 30–40 centimetres long, from which all the flowers (in a cluster) develop.

Echeveria gibbiflora care

Now that you know about Echeveria gibbiflora, you will probably want to have it in your home. You should know that all succulents, including this one, are great for beginners and pretty hardy to anything you do to them. But it doesn’t hurt to know what your main care is.

I leave them below.

location and temperature

The first thing you should know is that Echeveria gibbiflora is a plant that does very well outdoors. In fact, indoors it can cause problems, such as humidity, watering or lack of airy, which will eventually kill the plant. For this reason, we do not recommend keeping it inside the house, but on a balcony, terrace or in a place with direct sunlight. Of course, you should make sure that the plant is not exposed to too much sun, as it can harm it (the leaves will parched out and the plant may burn).

Plus, it’s quite basic to tell whether it’s lacking sun or not. For example, if the leaves are more green and less red, it means there is a lack of sun. If, in addition, the leaves become severely separated and the plant begins to grow crooked, it means that only part of it is giving off airy and needs more hours.

On the other hand, if you see that he has a sunburn, it means that he was exposed to too much sun.

As for the temperature, ideally it should be between 18 and 27ºC. However, it can withstand temperatures down to 5ºC, and in extreme cases even over 35ºC.

If the temperature drops significantly below these degrees for a longer period of time (more than 1-2 days), it is better to protect the plant to avoid harm.

Subsoil

Echeveria gibbiflora is not too picky about the soil it is to be in. The truth is that it adapts well to any terrain.

However, if you want it to be well and content, we recommend a substrate for succulents (or universal soil) add some perlite, volcanic stone, orchid substrate, etc. This way you will get a very loose soil, ideal for the development of the plant.

Typically, a plant should be repotted every 3 to 5 years to provide it with the necessary nutrients. Please remember that succulents are not plants that need fertilizer. You also don’t deal with the land, so you won’t have a problem with that.

Irrigation

When it comes to succulents, it is known that watering is rather infrequent. And that’s not a bad thing, because these are not plants that need a lot of water (if you tend to confuse this with others, this plant will be perfect for you).

Having said that, you should know that Echeveria gibbiflora is watered according to the season we are in. For example, if it is spring and summer, it is usually watered every 10 days; instead, In autumn it can take up to 15 days, while in winter once a month is enough.

Now this is on a general level. This means you need to see what the climate is like where you live, whether the winter is toasty, chilly… to adjust your watering.

Remember not to water the plant until the soil is completely parched. We also do not recommend putting a plate on it and watering it from the bottom, because firstly, it will take more time, and secondly, because it can absorb too much water. It is better to water from the top and stop when you notice that the ground is already saturated (water starts flowing out from the bottom). Of course, do not leave a plate under it.

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As we have already mentioned, Echeveria gibbiflora is not a plant that needs fertilizer. In any case, if you want to give him something, you can always employ a home remedy such as ground eggshells, which, in addition to preventing fungus, will also facilitate provide him with nutrients.

Plagues and diseases

Although succulents are not plants that cause problems with pests and diseases, This does not mean they are not at risk. In this case, the biggest threats will be aphids, nematodes and the common mealybug.

When it comes to diseases, the most earnest is root rot.

Multiplication

Time to propagate Echeveria gibbiflora? Well, you know you can do it three different ways:

• by sheetsby removing one plant from its base, leaving the wound for a few days to heal, and planting it in a pot until a rosette forms.
• by seedsa process that few undertake because it is very time-consuming.
• for children, i.e. separating the rosettes growing from the mother plant, waiting for the wound to heal and planting them in the ground.

Do you dare to have Echeveria gibbiflora at home?