Echeveria Agavoides varieties are amazing succulent plants that produce eye-catching flowers when exposed to the right levels of sunlight.
Commonly known as the Lipstick Echeveria, these succulents can be mistakenly called the Echeveria Lipstick or the Lipstick Succulent due to their intensely colorful shades.
Echeveria Agavoides varieties are plentiful, with many of these populating the garden or a pot of soil with their striking leaves. Each mature leaf is usually tinged with reddish hues, with some coloration becoming more prominent to higher sun exposure.
Contents
What Is an Echeveria Agavoides?
The Echeveria Agavoides is a low-maintenance stemless succulent, with each mature leaf usually tinged with reddish hues, with some coloration becoming more prominent to higher sun exposure. Echeveria Agavoides varieties are plentiful, with many of these populating the garden or a pot of soil with their striking leaves.
Echeveria Agavoides Care
Echeveria Agavoides requires very low maintenance as long as their care conditions are met. Growing in the wilderness of Mexico, these succulents have grown accustomed to the heat and intense light levels of the sun.
– Water
The most ideal method of watering the Echeveria Agavoides is to ensure that the water from the soil is quickly drained away from the succulent’s fine root system. Watering around the plant until the water drains away ensures that the Lipstick Echeveria is well-watered and should be watered again only when the soil dries out. This method is often called the “soak and dry” method.
Drought-tolerant Echeveria Agavoides have acclimated themselves to receiving water sparingly in their natural habitats. As a result, these succulents have root and leaf systems that are highly efficient in absorbing and storing water in dry climate conditions.
– Light
Echeveria Agavoides prefers high-intensity light levels, ideally in full sun exposure. Long and intense sun exposure can cause the succulents to flower since excess photosynthesis helps develop the blooms.
While the succulents have ideal conditions for their optimum growth development, this variety is adaptable enough to be grown indoors. Care should be taken that the Lipstick Echeveria plants are exposed to high levels of light to prevent leggy foliage growth. This condition occurs when the succulents do not receive the ideal light levels and stretch themselves to seek more light.
When grown indoors, south-facing windows are the ideal locations. However, the best method to keep the Echeveria Agavoides exposed to high levels of light is to keep it outdoors.
– Soil
Echeveria Agavoides flourish in soil mixes that provide great water drainage as well as great access to root aeration. The most ideal soil mix involves two parts of gardening soil, two parts of gardening sand, and one part of perlite or pumice.
The container for Echeveria Agavoides should have excellent drainage holes. Repot the succulents when they are growing over the container, and refrain from watering for a few days. Ensure that the soil is dry prior to transplanting.
– Temperature
Echeveria Agavoides prefers hot, dry weather best. Normally, Lipstick Echeveria plants thrive in regions where the average temperature ranges from 60 to 85 F.
The cooler periods of Mexico allow these succulents to tolerate temperatures as low as 40 F. While the plants may accept a bit of light frost, it is preferable to keep them away from any possibility.
– Humidity
Echeveria Agavoides can thrive under 80 percent humidity, although excess and prolonged humidity can sometimes cause aerial roots to form. The most ideal humidity level is around 60 to 70 percent, although the level can vary depending on the specific regional climate. Misting can help increase the humidity level for the succulent, especially in enclosed areas.
– Fertilizer
Echeveria Agavoides can thrive amazingly even without supplemental fertilizers. However, these succulents can benefit from additional nutrients. The preferred solution is a half-strength slow-release liquid fertilizer with low nitrogen content.
Balanced formula liquid fertilizers work as well. Fertilizing schedule can be two to four times a month.
– Rest Period
When the Echeveria Agavoides is grown in cooler regions, they should be brought indoors at the first sign of colder temperatures. It is recommended to keep these succulents indoors until warmer months arrive.
Propagation
Gardeners may find it easy to propagate Echeveria Agavoides. Some of these propagation methods have been found to be quite successful for these succulents, and usually, these techniques yield high viability.
- Lipstick Echeveria can be propagated by planting calloused cuttings into quick-draining soil mixtures. The leaves of these succulents can also be used to propagate with this technique.
- One of the easiest ways to propagate Echeveria Agavoides is to remove the succulent’s offsets; although these concerns can be easily remedied. Allow the offsets to callous for a few days before planting these in another container.
- A challenging method is to propagate Lipstick Echeveria from seeds, where the seeds are simply sown in well-draining soil until baby succulents are formed.
Problems
Echeveria Agavoides succulents are like most plants – they can be vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Sunburn
Lipstick Echeveria can be sunburned if they are abruptly moved into an area with high levels of light. Relocating these succulents should be preferably done gradually to acclimate them to their intended location.
Pests
Pests like aphids and mealybugs can be a nuisance for the Echeveria Agavoides. Some gardeners find success in eliminating these pests by spraying insecticidal soap. Many gardeners prefer to apply diatomaceous earth to the soil and neem oil solution to the leaves.
Watering Needs
Overabundant standing water will cause the roots of the Lipstick Echeveria to rot, eventually causing the whole plant to perish.
Underwatering can also cause the Echeveria Agavoides to wrinkle up, although it is easier to remedy this condition as opposed to excessive watering. These succulents prefer rainwater or distilled water.
Features of the Echeveria Agavoides
– Origin
Echeveria Agavoides takes their name after Atanasio Echeverria y Godoy, an 18th-century botanical illustrator, and naturalist who studied and trained at Mexico’s Royal Art Academy. His Swiss botanist cousin, Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, gave the succulent its distinct name.
The epithet “agavoides” means to resemble Agave, another succulent primarily known for its culinary uses such as sweeteners and liquors.
Other Names
Echeveria Agavoides is also known by many other names, like Cotyledon Agavoides, Crested Molded Wax Agave, Echeveria Obscura, Echeveria Yuccoides, House Leek, Molded Wax, Molded Wax Agave, Molded Wax Plant, Red Edge Echeveria Agavoides, Urbinia Agavoides, Urbinia Obscura, Wax Agave, and Wax Echeveria. The most common name for this succulent is Lipstick Echeveria.
– Size
Echeveria Agavoides can grow up to five inches tall, with the whole plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be as wide as eight inches. The growth development of these succulents can vary per cultivar, but most Lipstick Echeveria succulents tend to grow six to eight inches within a year from a two-inch seedling.
– Leaves
The leaves of the Echeveria Agavoides are typically bright lime green, triangular and thick. Mature leaves can reach a size of four to five inches tall, spreading to around six inches.
When exposed to high levels of light, the tips and the margins of the leaves may turn a darker reddish color, displaying bronze, red, or dark brown tints.
Lipstick Echeveria does not actually have a true stem, but there is a condition that creates a similar look. When the succulents are exposed to low levels of light, they elongate themselves in search of higher light levels. This process is called etiolation.
This can be prevented by placing the succulents in areas where the brightness of the light is ideal for their growth.
– Roots
The roots of the Echeveria Agavoides are fine and short. The shallow root system of these succulents suggests that they can be easily planted in shallow bowls or containers with great drainage holes or rock gardens.
Lipstick Echeveria sometimes produces aerial roots. This condition results from one of two situations: the succulents are not getting enough water, or the humidity is excessively high.
When the succulents do not receive enough hydration, the plants can sometimes grow aerial roots to absorb water from the air. In the same vein, when the air moisture level is high, the succulents produce aerial roots even if watered properly.
The roots of the Lipstick Echeveria can be pretty sensitive to stagnant water and will develop root rot if constantly exposed to standing water.
– Flowers
Echeveria Agavoides produces a tall arching stalk, usually in the summer or through the early fall. The stalk is often shaped in a bell or an urn form and can be up to 20 inches long, especially for mature plants. It usually takes up to four years for these young succulent plants to mature and flower.
The colorful flowers of the Lipstick Echeveria can range from pink to red to orange and are often tipped in dark yellow hues. The flowers are daintily puckered, with a delicately graceful disarray of vibrant buds and blossoms.
Blooming Time
Flowering occurs when the Echeveria Agavoides are exposed to intense light as opposed to the length of light exposure. As sun-loving succulents, these plants prefer to bask in the direct sun, where the intensity of the sunlight can cause them to photosynthesize enough energy to start blooming.
Seed Reproduction
The flowers of the Lipstick Echeveria eventually produce seeds, which are minuscule and black, resembling fine powder. Once the flowers have wilted and the possibility of harvesting seeds is high, it is recommended to cut off the spent flower stem.
The cut flower stem is ideally placed in a paper bag and allowed to dry out and draw out the Echeveria Agavoides seeds.
– Habitat
Echeveria Agavoides is naturally found in the rocky outcrops of sunny and hot regions of Mexico, especially in the state regions Durango, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, and San Luis Potosi. The high and dry regions make the Lipstick Echeveria plants intensify their colorful leaves and flowers.
While acclimated to these conditions, these succulents can still be grown where their native habitat conditions can be replicated.
FAQ
Why is Echeveria Agavoides called lipstick succulent?
Echeveria Agavoides is named “lipstick succulent” due to its vibrant red or pink leaf tips resembling the color of lipstick.
Does Echeveria Agavoides multiply rapidly?
Echeveria Agavoides does not multiply rapidly, but it can produce offsets or “pups” over time, gradually expanding its population.
What is the hardiness zone for Echeveria Agavoides?
The hardiness zone for Echeveria Agavoides typically ranges from 9 to 11, making it suitable for warm climates with minimal frost exposure.
Conclusion
Echeveria Agavoides is one of the easiest succulents to care for. With its majestic foliage colors and glorious flowering habit, this plant is easily found in many sunny gardens. Let’s run through what we’ve learned so far about these sweet succulents:
- Echeveria Agavoides is a drought-tolerant succulent that prefers intense bright light, minimal watering, and quick-draining soil.
- Lipstick Echeveria prefers warm temperatures, appreciates diluted fertilizers, and is easily propagated.
- Echeveria Agavoides may be prone to pests, root rot, and sunburn, although these concerns can be easily remedied.
Echeveria Agavoides is a colorful and unique wonder of nature, perfect for gardeners who love low-maintenance plants. No wonder these are some of the most sought-after succulents in the world!
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