Growing Echeveria from Seed: 8 Steps to Successful Germination

It is no secret that keeping houseplants not only makes our homes look better, they also have a soothing effect on us. Research has suggested that being around plants also reduces our psychological stress. While you can go and buy a plant whenever you want, growing it yourself is a rewarding experience in itself.

various echeverias

Echeveria is a common houseplant that is easy to take care of. They are drought resistant which means you don’t need to water them too much. They are tiny. You can keep them by your bedroom window or add them to your garden.

Growing Echeveria from seed is easy and cost effective. It’s not rocket science. All you need to do is take care of a few things and you can have a beautiful plant in your home.

Why You Should Grow Echeveria

growing echeveria

Growing Echeveria has many benefits over other houseplants. They are easy to maintain, making them perfect for people who have busy schedules. They are also great for people who are new to planting and are still learning how to take care of them.

If you are the kind of person who is forgetful or who thinks of plants as a huge responsibility, you should definitely consider Echeveria because of how low maintenance they are.

They are also great for people with artistic tendencies. They are beautiful and can be a great addition to your home decoration.

Some other benefits of Echeveria are:

  • Most types of Echeveria are affordable. Some of the rare hybrids can be expensive but still cheaper than many other houseplants.
  • If you are looking for a perfect gift for a friend or a family member, Echeveria can make great presents.
  • They come in many colors and varieties. It would be difficult to not find an Echeveria that you don’t like.
  • They are safe to keep if you have pets.
  • You can grow as many of them as you want. You can have plenty of these plants for your home and can even give them to your friends and family.

Growing Echeveria from Seed – Step-by-Step Instructions

Although Echeveria is native to Central America, these plants can be grown anywhere in the world from their seeds. Growing a succulent like Echeveria from seed is different from growing other houseplants.

Things You’ll Need

  • Echeveria seeds
  • A planting tray with holes in the bottom
  • Potting mixture
  • Toothpick
  • Plastic wrap
  • Fine sand or talc

Preparing the Seeds

Only fresh seeds must be used to grow Echeveria. Old seeds do not grow well and fail to germinate properly. Echeveria seeds are small and black in color.

Make sure the seeds that you buy are from a reputable source. If you are a beginner, it can be difficult to identify good Echeveria seeds so research properly before buying. If you are shopping online, make sure you read the reviews before you buy it.

Choosing the Pots

echeveria pot

Each pot must have an average diameter of four inches for the plant to grow healthily. Make sure you tap the pot against a hard surface after putting the potting mixture. This would ensure the potting mixture evenly spreads out.

The Process

  1. Make sure you are in a sheltered area before planting so the seeds don’t blow away.
  2. Put Echeveria seeds in a small dish and add fine sand or talc about twice the volume of the seeds. Use a toothpick to mix.
  3. Fill a clean pot with a potting mix. Scatter the Echeveria seeds mixed with the talc or sand in the pot gently. Make sure the seeds are spread apart.
  4. Put the pot in a tray that can hold water and water the pot from the bottom.
  5. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and poke some holes for ventilation. The seeds need humidity to grow.
  6. Note down the date of sowing the seeds. Leaves should sprout in about six weeks.
  7. Remove the plastic after germination.
  8. New leaves are prone to fungus infection. Check every day to make sure your plant is still growing healthily.

Pro Tip

  • Echeveria seeds are tiny, so make sure you are storing them properly before planting. Don’t store them outdoors in a windy location.
  • You should put your tray in the sunlight. If sunlight isn’t accessible, you can use a lamp.
  • Don’t use soil to cover the seeds.
  • When leaves sprout, continue to keep the soil moist.

Replanting

growing echeveria from seed

Once your plant has grown a little, you can transfer it to a new pot. Don’t rush this process and make sure you are repotting them only when they are of adequate size.

While replanting, make sure you are gentle with the roots. Use your fingers to loosen the soil around the root. Make sure the pot you are transferring your plant to is of proper size so your plant has enough room to grow.

How to Take Care of Your Echeveria

  • Check your plant regularly to make sure there are no signs of rotting.
  • Put them on your window ledges or any other such areas where they can get proper sunlight.
  • These plants enjoy the warmth. You should keep them in a room where the temperature doesn’t drop below 41ºF.
  • Don’t over-water your plant. Succulents need much less water than other houseplants.
  • Use a soft tissue or a cloth to wipe off your plant leaves to get rid of dust or any bugs.
  • If bugs become a problem, use a fertilizer.
growing echeveria 1

According to a recent study, plants can help increase our productivity levels as well as our memory retention. This makes growing plants one of the healthiest hobbies.

While many people consider taking care of plants a huge responsibility, succulents like Echeveria come to the rescue. They are much easier to care for with just as many benefits as other plants.

Growing Echeveria is rewarding in many ways. It’s a great hobby to keep you busy in your free time and at the same time, a great way to add some greenery to your homes. It isn’t difficult but does require some patience.

With these instructions at hand, you can be on your way to growing many Echeveria plants.