Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Profile

Written by Iris
Echeveria pulvinata plant is known as the Chenille plant. Echeveria pulvinata produces flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds. Echeveria Pulvinata doesn't need much water. Chenille plants perform best in containers and are warm plants.

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Picture

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Info

Scientific name Echeveria Pulvinata 
Common names Chenille Plant plush, Ruby Slippers, Plush Plant, Ruby Blush, Red Velvet
Color – primary Green / lime
Color – secondary Red / burgundy
Bloom color Orange bloom
Zone Zone 9a (Minimum 20° F | -6.7° C)
Recommended light conditions Full sun, bright indoor light
Maximum height 9″-12″

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Ecological Habits

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant), belongs to the Crassulaceae family. The leaves of echeveria pulvinata are spatulate, pointed, and covered with hairs that give it a velvety appearance. The flowers are small, less than 1cm in diameter, orange or red, and emerge from a flower stem approximately 8cm long. With a height of 30cm, it is a perfect plant to have in a pot, either outdoors or inside the home, or in the rockery along with other succulents. This is a small, shrubby and sparsely branched plant, whose discreet bearing allows it to be perfect for growing in a pot. It forms small rosettes of velvety leaves that appear as caked, towards the top of the bush. The leaves are thick, with grayish-green color, with a portion tinted red at the top edges. The flowers are gorgeous and clustered in inflorescences, which are supported by long flower stems. Each flower stem has smaller leaves than the natural leaves of the plant.

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Distribution

Echeveria pulvinata is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Crassulaceae, native to semi-desert areas of Central America, Mexico and northwestern South America.

How to Grow and Care for Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant)

How to Grow Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant)

  • Propagate with Seeds
Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) is a slow grower so even if it can be propagated by its seeds, this method is not recommended. To propagate echeveria pulvinata from the seeds, plant the seeds in a well-draining soil mixture. This method can be used outdoors. In cooler areas, indoor propagating is recommended.
  • Grow with Cuttings
Cutting Echeveria pulvinata stem should be done by using a sterile, sharp knife. Stem should be removed from the main plant. Then, it should be allowed to callous it for a few days before planting. Planting should be done in well-draining soil. Watering should be done after it is completed dry.
  • Propagte with Leaves
Twist a leaf from the mother plant to propagate Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) plant from leaves. (If some of the leaf stays attached to the stem, you would have a lower chance of success.) Leave the leaf to dry out for a few days so the callouses on the end will be over. Place on well-draining soil after that. When the soil is totally dry, water it.

How to Care for Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant)

  • Light Care
Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) plants can grow in a variety of conditions, from partial shade to full sun. Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) are exposed to maximum sunshine all year in their natural environment, which is why they like bright light.
  • Soil Care
To prevent overwatering, Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) should be planted in a mildly acidic (pH6.0) and porous soil with well-drained. commercial succulent mix can be used. but if you want to make your own, mix a 2:1 potting soil and coarse sand, or a 1:1:1 potting soil, perlite, and sand.
  • Water Care
Echeveria pulvinata plants need regular watering. Avoid pouring excess water into plants. Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) rots when you drop heavy water. Soaking and drying processes are healthy methods for Echeveria pulvinata plants. Drop water thoroughly in summer. Reduce watering of Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) in winter. 
  • Temperature and Humidity Care
Since their thick leaves help avoid water loss, Echeveria pulvinata plants can withstand high temperatures. However, they prefer mild temperatures and low to moderate humidity.Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) must grow in climates with temperatures above 20°C/68°F and remain stable over time. Temperatures below 10°C/50°F are deadly. Protect from strong winters in greenhouses.
  • Fertilizer Care
Fertilize the Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) as it begins to grow. Fertilizers can increase the strength of Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant). Feeding Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) in spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing during the cooler months. Fertilize once a month during plant growth. When fertilizing Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant), be careful with water soluble fertilizers.
  • Pruning Care
Little need for pruning except in old Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) plants. Plants can be pruned back when height is excessive for a particular growing situation, tops can be cut out and side branching will develop, eventually forming a full plant. Remove wilted flowers regularly (deadheading). This step isn’t mandatory but it will help stimulate the plant to produce new flowers.

Varieties of Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant)

Echeveria Pulvinata has several variants that you can choose from, and here are two of the most loved.

Ruby

Ruby, which also goes by the names Red Velvet, Ruby Blush or Ruby Slippers. A touch of color may be all that your garden needs, and this stands out succulent offers just that. Normally, plants get their color from flowers which bloom just once a year, though, with this plant, it is the leaves that offer the first dash of color. Like typical Echeveria pulvinate plants, it has fine white hairs covering the leaves. The difference here is that the tips and margins of the leaves have a deep red color, meaning the leaves are both green and red. This succulent is sure to make heads turn.

Frosty

Frosty, which is also known as the White Chenille Plant is a brilliant succulent that will thrive anywhere you plant it. The tiny white hairs are quite visible on this plant, giving it a ‘frosty’ look as though it will turn into a different plant if it spends some time in the warmth and defrosts. The leaves of this succulent are all green. Normally, it begins as a small succulent though it can grow into a large plant that reaches 12 cm in height. The blooms for this plant burst out through footlong brown stems, normally towards the very end of the cold season.

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Common Pests/Diseases

You should be aware of some pests and diseases when it comes to Echeveria pulvinata plants.
The most common pest is the Mealybug. If they aren’t dealt with quickly, these tiny creatures can cause significant damage to your plant. Mealybugs secrete a waxy substance that coats the leaves, resulting in curling or yellowing leaves from lack of sunlight exposure. In severe cases, this issue could also lead to death if not treated right away.
There are many ways to target these pests.
One is to use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and carefully remove the pests with it. You can also purchase natural remedies designed specifically for these types of issues from your local gardening store.
A fungal disease called Echeveria leaf spot will occasionally affect this plant. Still, if you keep up with watering practices, then there won’t be any problems. This fungus usually starts as small brown spots on leaves which quickly grow to become larger, or they might appear as yellowish-brown patches.
The size gets bigger until the entire leaf turns brown and dies off completely unless treated right away with fungicide spray or powder – whichever one works best for your situation. It’s important to note that Echeveria pulvinata plants may be more susceptible to its recurrence once affected by this issue.
It’s recommended that you remove the infected plant parts, stop watering, and expose the leaves to direct sunlight for several hours a day.

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Design Tips

The Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) succulent plant quickly becomes one of the most common echeverias among those who grow it.
This species makes a good groundcover in areas where it is winter hardy.
In places where Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Succulent plant is not winter hardy, it makes a good container plant for the porch or patio and can be brought indoors for the winter.
Growing Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) as a succulent hanging basket plant can be very attractive.
Red velvet plants add elegance to the home year around as the indoor plant. (Find more best indoor hanging plants here.)

Echeveria pulvinata (Chenille plant) Companion Plants

unknown Echeveria pulvinata crammed between rocks- they seem to like be crammed into tight places; Over the last three years this turquoise plant in the last photo has slowly spread and has made a wonderfully attractive ground cover, but it has not out-competed with the surrounding plants. Echeveria pulvinata make very 'easy' and 'friendly' companion plants, rarely crowding out other plants, but also not caring if they pushed aside a bit. Yarrow, lavender, salvia, and rosemary are great flowering herbs to grow alongside your succulent beds. These herbs take the same conditions as most ground planted succulents.

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