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Echeveria Prolifica Care & Propagation Tips
Echeveria Prolifica features heavily in a lot of our articles as it is a superbly easy and, well, prolific succulent.
Below I will cover all there is to know about Echeveria Prolifica, how to care for and propagate it. The information is based on growing thousands of these succulents yearly in our nursery Fern Farm Plants.
Description
Echeveria Prolifica is a small growing succulent with leaves arranged in a rosette shape. Individual rosettes grow to approximately 8-10cm in diameter though the plant produces a large number of offsets and can spread some distance, depending on the conditions.
As the offsets mature, they produce offsets of their own and so on. The size of individual rosettes and how far the whole plant spreads will all depend on the conditions. In ideal conditions, the plant can spread almost indefinitely and the rosettes will reach their maximum size. In poorer conditions (small pots, heavy soil) the plant will still grow, but it won’t be as big.
The leaves of Echeveria Prolifica are small and arranged tightly together. They can change colour from blue-green to white-pink in different seasons, temperatures and based on where it is grown. More sun exposure will help keep the colour in the warmer months, though this succulent will be at its best during the cold months. T
he leaves are coated by a powdery substance called the farina. Farina protects the plant from harmful UV rays.
Echeveria Prolifica produces small yellow flowers bunched up on a tall stalk. They usually appear in spring/summer and last a couple of weeks.
Position & Care
Echeveria Prolifica is a sun-lover and more exposure to the sun it gets, more compact and colourful it will be. It will also grow well in part shade and survive full shade areas in the garden, but it is likely to grow leggy and not very colourful.
Echeveria Prolifica is not suitable to be indoors for long periods, unless in a sunroom or under plant growing lights.
Although, Prolifica is extremely hardy and will survive just about any type of potting mix and soil (when grown in the garden) it may not look all that pretty and grow as large as when it is planted in good quality succulent potting mix in pots/ rich garden soil in the garden.
Any garden soil can be improved by mixing potting mix through and so if you have particularly poor soil, it may be best to dig in any potting mix that will introduce some nutrients. When planted in the garden, succulents tend to somehow grow a lot better than potted plants. My theory is that they have lots of root space and can keep nice and cool once those heatwaves hit.
To keep Prolifica growing nicely in pots, succulent potting mix should be used and it is advisable to upgrade the pot once a year to keep the plant producing new offsets. It is possible to have Echeveria Prolifica in the same pot for many years, but once the roots fill this pot up, the plant will stop growing.
Echeveria Prolifica is not sensitive to overwatering and can be left outdoors in the rain. During dry spells water when the potting mix dries out. In winter this succulent does not need to be watered much, especially if its overwintering inside- once a month in winter will do unless it is unseasonably hot.
Propagation
Echeveria Prolifica is a superbly easy succulent to propagate from both leaves and offsets and is a great plant for beginners wanting to try their luck with succulent propagation.
Leaf propagation can be pretty much done all year round, though in cold climates the leaves may take extra long to sprout in winter and I’d recommend waiting till spring.
The fastest results will be achieved in the warmer months as this is when Echeveria Prolifica grows the most. The leaves come off the plant easily and have almost 100% strike rate. The leaves can be left just on top of some potting mix and new growth should appear within a month. We have another article on leaf propagation here.
Propagating offsets is easy as well. Often, they will already have roots of their own. To propagate Echeveria Prolifica offsets, simply pull/cut one off, leave the wound to heal for 24 hours and plant in succulent potting mix or plant straight in the garden. The new plant should start growing roots in a couple of weeks and start growing in about a month.
Seed propagation should be possible as well, though I personally would not recommend it as it can be unreliable and take a long time. Propagating from leaves or offsets is a much better and faster way.
Pests
While Echeveria Prolifica is not the most favourite succulent for pests, they still tend to attack if there is not a tastier plant around.
Mealybugs tend to like the Prolifica as it has tight leaves they can hide between. Aphids are likely to come out when the plant flowers. Larger pests such as snails, slugs, grasshoppers and caterpillars can also take a chunk.
If you live in Australia, keep it away from Possums.
Toxicity
Echeveria Prolifica is not listed as toxic to humans, cats, dogs and other pets. It is not recommended to eat this plant though.
Where can I get it?
Echeveria Prolifica is a widespread plant and should be quite easy to come by. If not in garden centers or your favourite succulent nursery, try online.