Plate No. 34

Perle von Nürnberg

Echeveria 'Perle von Nürnberg'

"A pearl in dusty lavender"

Native to

A German cultivar of Mexican parentage

Botanical illustration of Perle von Nürnberg
Echeveria 'Perle von Nürnberg' — drawn from life
History

A brief account

Raised in the 1930s by Alfred Gräser of Nuremberg as a hybrid of E. gibbiflora and E. elegans. Its pale lavender-pink leaves, powdered with white farina, have made it one of the most photographed succulents in the world.

How to care for

Place Perle von Nürnberg according to its light needs: Bright direct sun to keep the pink flush. For watering, every two weeks in summer; sparingly in winter. For the potting medium, use free-draining succulent mix. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer. 5–28°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

Leaf cuttings; twist off cleanly and callous before potting. 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 Perle von Nürnberg 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 to keep the pink flush.
Water
Every two weeks in summer; sparingly in winter.
Soil
Free-draining succulent mix.
Temperature
5–28°C. Frost-tender.
Propagation
Leaf cuttings; twist off cleanly and callous before potting.