The Echeveria glauca is considered one of the best Blue Echeveria plant varieties. Glauca in Latin means “bluish-grey or green.”
The other common plant names include:
- Old Hens and Chicks
- Glaucous Echeveria
- Hens and Chicks
It belongs to the stonecrop family of Crassulaceae and the easy to grow genus Echeveria plant genus with many hardy succulent plants.
It is native to semi-desert areas of Mexico, northwestern South America, and Central America.
Echeveria Glauca Care
Size & Growth
The arrowhead-shaped leaves of the glaucous Echeveria form flat rosettes.
These form clusters rapidly, which is why they are often called hens and chicks plants.
Each adult rosette can grow up to 8″ inches (20cm). The stem-less rosettes are grayish blue-green.
The leaves are oval shaped and fleshy. The edges and tips of the leaves have hints of red, brown, pink, or icy winter colors.
Flowering and Fragrance
The flowers are large compared to the plant and grow from short stalks called cymes.
Flowers arise from the tight rosettes and often have bright colored leaves.
The yellow petals and red calyces, give them a bi-colored appearance.
Plants bloom in late spring on tall arching stems reaching up to 12″ inches (30 cm).
They release a light fragrance in the evening.
Light & Temperature
The glauca Echeveria also known as Echeveria secunda can’t survive cold conditions.
It requires brightly lit spaces to flourish. It is perfect for a sunny window since it likes full sun climates.
The plant prefers summer temperatures like 65° – 70° degrees Fahrenheit (18 °C – 21 °C).
In winters, it can survive temperatures as low as 50° degrees Fahrenheit (10 °C).
In harsher winters, it is recommended to take the Blue Echeveria plants indoors to protect it from frost.
Watering and Feeding
The plant should never sit in water since overwatering can cause fungal diseases and rot.
The plant needs well-drained soil. Overwatering will result in killing the plant.
Glauca is drought tolerant but it is essential to water the plant periodically during summer and spring since the plant flowers at this time.
Learn more about watering Echeveria plants.
Feed the plant with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of each season.
You can also supply a liquid solution of balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer at quarter strength for any mature Blue Echeveria.
For young plants, apply a fertilizer with less nitrogen.
Soil Type & Transplanting
The soil needs to be well-drained to prevent rot or fungal disease.
The pH level of the ground should preferably be slightly acidic at 6.0.
The glaucous Echeveria can be quite tricky to transplant since they have extensive, deep roots.
If the roots have entangled or grown too thick, you will need to trim them properly.
After that, you will have to place them in loose and well-drained soil.
If the ground is unsuitable, you will have to remove as much of it as you can before replacing it with a better version.
Grooming and Maintenance
Remove the fallen dead leaves at the bottom of the plant.
These leaves attract pests, and the plant may become overrun by mealy bugs.
Propagating Blue Echeveria Secunda
Propagate the Blue Echeveria by removing the offsets or leaf cuttings.
Allow the leaf cuttings to sit overnight to callous.
Place the leaves on the surface of a pot filled with a succulent soil mix to form roots.
Blue Echeveria Pest or Disease Problems
Mealybugs are known to feed on Echeveria plants resulting in wrinkled leaves.
They also make the plant more susceptible to fungal damage.
Severe infestations of succulent mealybug pests can result in the death of the plant.
Scale insects are also known to attach themselves to leaves and stems.
Fungus gnats lay their eggs in the soil. Read our article on How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats
The larva consumes roots and organic matter in the ground, which can result in the death of seedlings.
Spider mites suck on the plant’s juices, weakening the plant.
More on controlling Echeveria succulent pests
Suggested Glaucous Echeveria Uses
The Glauca is often used as a potted landscape decoration since they look great as an accent plant.
Glauca makes an excellent indoor house plant growing on a window sill, sitting on a desk.