Plate No. 35
Topsy Turvy
Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'
"Silvered leaves that curl the wrong way"
Native to
A sport of a species native to Tamaulipas, Mexico
History
A brief account
Topsy Turvy is an unusual echeveria mutation whose spoon-curled leaves seem to twist inward as if the rosette has been turned inside out. Discovered in the mid-20th century, it was prized almost immediately for its sculptural form and wonderfully odd silhouette. Its silvery leaves catch the light in a way that gives the plant a cool, almost metallic presence, and it has earned an RHS Award of Garden Merit for just that reason. It remains a favorite among collectors who want a succulent with personality and a touch of the unexpected.
How to care for
Place Topsy Turvy according to its light needs: Bright direct sun. For watering, soak and dry; sparing in winter. For the potting medium, use standard 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
Leaf cuttings and offsets. 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 Topsy Turvy 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.
- Water
- Soak and dry; sparing in winter.
- Soil
- Standard gritty succulent mix.
- Temperature
- 5–30°C. Frost-tender.
- Propagation
- Leaf cuttings and offsets.