Plate No. 33
Painted Lady
Echeveria derenbergii
"A rosette blushed at the tips"
Native to
Oaxaca, southern Mexico
History
A brief account
Painted Lady is a compact echeveria with pale green leaves that blush crimson at the tips when the light is strong. Introduced to Europe in the early 20th century, it quickly became a parent of countless hybrids and helped shape the modern appeal of rosette succulents. In spring it produces arching stems of orange bell-shaped flowers that add a bright, cheerful note to its already elegant form. Its combination of softness, colour, and tidy growth makes it a classic choice for sunny windows and succulent collections.
How to care for
Place Painted Lady according to its light needs: Bright direct sun for four to six hours. For watering, soak and dry — every two to three weeks in summer. For the potting medium, use gritty succulent mix. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer.
5–30°C. Frost-tender. Check the compost before watering instead of following a rigid calendar, since light, temperature, pot size and season all affect how quickly it dries. During slower growth, reduce watering and wait longer between drinks.
How to propagate
Leaves and offsets root readily. Propagation is most reliable during the plant's active growing season, when warmth and good light help new roots establish. Start with clean tools and healthy material, and keep the new plant in conditions appropriate for the parent.
Where a cutting or division creates a wound, allow the surface to dry before planting unless the method calls for immediate rooting in water or moist mix. Once roots form and fresh growth appears, gradually move the young Painted Lady into its normal watering routine; excess moisture is especially risky while the root system is still small.
Cultivation
Quick tips for care & planting
- Light
- Bright direct sun for four to six hours.
- Water
- Soak and dry — every two to three weeks in summer.
- Soil
- Gritty succulent mix.
- Temperature
- 5–30°C. Frost-tender.
- Propagation
- Leaves and offsets root readily.