A favorite echeveria succulent plant hybrid, Echeveria imbricata [ech-eh-VER-ee-a im-brih-KAY-tuh] produces blue-green leaves forming tight rosettes.
The small, evergreen succulent is one of the hardiest plants in the echeveria genus and a member of the Crassulaceae family.
It’s one of the oldest echeveria hybrids, created as a cross between Echeveria metallica and Echeveria glauca.
It also goes by the common name blue rose echeveria or hens and chicks.
Keep in mind the common name “hens and chicks” refers to a lot of different plants that freely produce offsets.
While echeverias are native to Central and South America, they can grow indoors in almost any region.
Use this guide to ensure your succulent plants gets the right amount of sun, water, and care.
Echeveria Imbricata Care Guide
Size & Growth
Echeveria imbricata can grow indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. It typically reaches heights of 4″ to 8″ inches and may spreads of 4″ to 6″ inches.
The tight rosettes are a bluish-green color and occasionally feature orangish-tips. The leaves grow around the mother rosette, creating a series of overlapping circles.
Flowering and Fragrance
The plant flowers in the spring or early summer. It produces several loose clusters of bell-shaped flowers. The orange-red flowers are small and don’t provide a fragrance.
Light & Temperature
The blue rose echeveria isn’t picky. Place it in full sun or partial shade. If grown indoors, give the plant bright light throughout most of the day. Typically, western-facing or southern-facing windows provide the best sunlight for succulent houseplants.
As one of the hardiest succulents, the imbricata can tolerate lower temperatures. It can survive short durations of temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
TIP: These succulents grow toward their light source. To maintain symmetrical rosettes, rotate the pot once or twice per week.
Watering and Feeding
When plants are first potted, they will require more water, once established they will need less water. Allow the soil to dry between watering.
When watering, use caution to avoid pouring water into the rosettes.
If water gets trapped inside, the plant may suffer from fungal rot and slowly die. Pour water directly on the soil around the plant.
This succulent doesn’t require feeding.
TIP: To avoid overwatering, water the plant from below. Set the pot inside another container or bowl and add water to the outer bowl.
The dry soil soaks up the water through the drainage holes, which allows the roots of the succulent to get just enough water.
Soil & Transplanting
Like most succulents, the echeveria imbricata grows easily in healthy, sandy soil offering good drainage. It can also tolerate slightly acidic or alkaline soil.
The plant doesn’t require repeated transplanting. However, if you decide to give the plant a new home, consider transplanting in the early spring.
Remove the plant from its current container and allow it to dry overnight before placing it in its new clay pot home the following day.
Grooming and Maintenance
This low-growing succulent does not require grooming. But, if you notice the lower leaves shriveling, pull them off to allow healthy leaves to grow in their place.
How to Propagate Imbricata Blue Rose
There are several ways to propagate the echeveria imbricata – stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, or offsets.
Separating offsets is the easiest way to propagate. The offsets grow underground but close to the surface. To remove the offsets, you will need to remove the mother plant.
Make removing the offsets easier by watering the soil the day before removing the offsets.
Carefully remove the mother plant and search for the offsets growing off the main stem. Gently cut the offsets at the stem using a sharp knife.
Set the offsets on a paper towel to allow them to dry for several days. After drying, place the offsets in a new container with fresh soil. Use a potting soil with extra perlite or add sand to the potting soil to create better drainage.
To take leaf or stem cuttings, follow the same steps. However, instead of collecting offsets, cut a section of the stem or leaf and place on a paper towel to dry.
No matter which option you choose, the late spring or early summer is the best time for propagation.
Pests or Disease Problems Of Echeveria ‘Blue Rose’
The blue rose echeveria is considered a disease-free plant, and doesn’t have any common diseases issues. However, it’s still important to watch for the usual pests, including aphids and mealybugs.
Treat aphids and mealybugs with insecticides like neem oil. Spraying the Echeveria with cold water to remove the aphids isn’t recommended. The water may collect inside the rosettes and lead to overwatering.
Suggested Uses Echeveria Imbricata ‘Blue Rose’
The echeveria imbricata is the perfect addition to any rock garden or a succulent garden.
They also look great as a stand-alone plant in containers or combined with other succulents to help create a stunning floral arrangement.
