Echeveria (pronounced ech-eh-VER-ee-a LAU-eye) laui is one of the prettiest succulents around. This slow-grower forms short-stemmed rosettes with fleshy powdery leaves. Colors range from white to pink or blue to green. Definitely a perfect addition to succulent arrangements for an added pop of color. Let’s review some of my favorite Echeveria laui care tips.
Family
Crassulaceae
Genus
Echeveria
Species
E. laui
Scientific Name
Echeveria Laui
Common Name
La roseta
Origin
Oaxaca, Mexico
USDA Hardiness Zones
9-11
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Water thoroughly but infrequently
Temperature
65° – 70°F (18° – 21°C)
Soil
Well-draining soil, Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0 (acidic to neutral)
Fertilizer
Very diluted solution (1/8 strength) about 2-3 times during the growing season.
Size
6 inches (15 cm) tall and 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide
Pronunciation
ech-eh-VER-ee-a LAU-eye
Pests
Mealybugs, aphids, mites, thrips
Flower
Peachy-rose flowers in stalk during summer to fall
Toxicity
Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
This Mexican native can be found growing mostly on mountain slopes in its natural habitat. A member of the Crassulaceae family, and undoubtedly one of the most popular. Despite its extraordinary charm, Echeveria laui care is quite easy.
In fact, laui can survive drought conditions like most of the species in the same family and grows well if properly cared for. Let’s review some essential care tips for growing Echeveria laui.
Many succulents, including Echeverias laui, store water in their plump leaves to survive drought. As a result, this plant does not have very high watering needs. I have found the best watering method to be the “soak and dry method”.
First, thoroughly drench the soil with water until it is completely saturated. Then, avoid watering Echeveria laui again until the soil starts drying out before watering again. If in doubt, use an inexpensive moisture meter. It absolutely helped me when I was new to succulents.
Avoid keeping this succulent soaking wet for prolonged periods of time. In fact, this can cause root rot. Also, avoid getting the leaves wet; they do not welcome overhead watering. Water on the leaves of your Echeveria laui can also cause rot or fungal infections.
Finally, always use pots with great drainage and always use well-draining soil.
Echeveria laui prefers full sunlight if possible, although they will tolerate light shade. Preferably, they should get 4-6 hours of bright, direct sun exposure to thrive. If harsh summer rays are too intense or temperatures are just too hot, sunburn or bleaching may occur.
Be sure to slowly acclimate your Echeveria laui when transferring from indoors to outdoor or to a brighter location. Abrupt change in light intensity can stress your plant resulting in leaf loss or sunburn. Therefore, gradually increase the amount of direct sun your Echeveria laui receives.
Shriveling leaves or falling leaves along with gaps in the leaf spaces may indicate low light levels. Definitely increase light levels gradually to ensure healthy growth.
In colder climates, place Echeveria laui inside near the brightest window, ideally a south-facing window.
Succulents need a warm environment to thrive and Echeveria laui is no different. This plant prefers temperatures between 65° – 70°F (18° – 21° C) and will tolerate 50°F (10° C) temps during the winter months. Freezing temperatures can damage your plant so be sure to bring indoors in colder climates.
Additionally, keep your succulent away from cold drafts, air conditioning, or any other extreme temperature conditions. USDA hardiness zone 6 – 9.
Well-draining soil is key to keeping your Echeveria laui thriving. Succulents left sitting in water are susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases. Therefore, always select a pot with drainage holes.
My perfect succulent soil recipe is 2 parts potting soil, 1 part pumice or perlite and 1 part coarse sand (2:1:1 ratio). However, be sure to ONLY use coarse sand and not sand from a park or beach. Additionally, even when I use a cactus soil mix, I still like to add some extra perlite for increased drainage.
Finally, whether you buy a premade succulent soil or make your own, the key is that it must drain well. A soil pH of slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0) is suggested.
Fertilizer is not a necessary requirement for your Echeveria laui as it is not a heavy feeder. However, it will thrive with added fertilizer as soil loses nutrients over time. Therefore, adding a liquid and balanced cactus or succulent fertilizer that is low-nitrogen will replenish lost nutrients.
During Echeveria laui’s active growing season, feed every two weeks. Be sure to dilute the fertilizer prior to pouring onto your soil. If the fertilizer is not diluted, it may burn your succulent.
No fertilizer is needed in winter months as it will receive less light in fall and winter. Thus, producing less growth. Doing so may result in over-fertilization or fertilizer burn.
The Echeveria laui succulent is generally non-toxic to humans and your cute furbabies. Luckily this plant does not contain any harmful substances that could potentially be toxic. Nevertheless, still keep your Echeveria laui away from your pet as its leaves are fragile and can easily be knocked off.
For more detailed information visit ASPCA or call Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Laui succulents will naturally propagate from offsets. However, if you cannot wait for that, try leaf or stem cuttings. Moreover, once you have the process down, you can easily multiply your Echeveria laui collection.
Leaf cuttings can gently be removed taken by slowly twisting the leaf off of the stem. First, carefully twist the leaf and ensure to remove the entire leaf. Definitely, do not leave any part of the leaf on the stem. Fully remove the leaf to increase your odds of successful leaf propagation.
Next, allow the removed leaf to dry out for a few days. Allowing the ends to fully callous over. Then, set your leaf on top of well-draining soil and mist it with water. Finally, keep the soil damp until new roots have grown in.
Once the leaves begin to take root, return to your regular watering schedule.
Stem cuttings follow almost the exact same process as leaf cuttings. To begin with, take a sharp pair of scissors and cut off the top of the plant. Obviously leaving a few inches at the base. This may be a frightening experience at first. However, you will be happy with the results. In addition, allow the stems to dry for three to five days before planting in soil or propagating in water. Of course this can vary depending on your climate.
Water propagation is one of my favorite methods and you can read more here. When placing stem cuttings in soil, make sure the rosette is upright and in well-draining soil. You can test if it has roots by gently pulling on it. If there is resistance, it has established some roots. In fact, the base should eventually produce new babies. Follow the above watering suggested watering instructions for leaf cutting.
If you think Echeveria laui is gorgeous, wait until you see it in bloom. Honestly, it does not even need flowers as it is just stunning on its own. As a polycarpic plant, it will flower a few times a year. Short stalks produce pretty pink-orange flowers.
Personally, I always cut flower stalks close to the base as they appear. Mine seem to always attract bugs and I just do not want the headache. However, my parents grow Echeveria laui in their front yard and have great success with flowers.
Either way, remove flower stalks as soon as the flowers die to allow the energy to be directed on growing the actual plant.
Be wary of overwatering your Echeveria. Indeed the number one killer of succulents. Overwatering kills succulents much faster than underwatering. Symptoms of overwatering include yellow, mushy leaves, that easily fall off.
More importantly, you can remedy this issue by removing your succulent from the overwatered soil. Next, place it in fresh well-draining soil. Finally, hold off on watering for a week or so. If you still aren’t sure of when to water, a moisture meter will take out the guesswork.
Underwatering is also harmful to Echeverias. On the contrary, much easier to fix. Give your succulent a good drink and it will usually perk up. When echeveria are underwatered, leaves will shrivel up and the plant will wilt. In addition, they can also send out air roots. Read more about air roots here.
Etiolation is a common, but preventable problem with succulents. When the plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it stretches toward the sun. Consequently, if you don’t keep your echeveria in a bright location, it will grow stretched out. What’s more, is it will also appear less attractive than its typical compact rosette.
Once stretched out, it will not return to its tight rosette. Propagate the stem as mentioned above giving it a second chance. At any rate, increasing your collection size.
The name Echeveria comes from Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy. A botanical illustrator who contributed to Flora Mexicana. Laui is named after Alfred Bernhard Lau, a German missionary in Mexico, explorer and collector of cacti and other succulents.
Laui’s typically do not require a lot of maintenance. As with most succulents, bottom leaves will brown and die off as the age. Although, be sure to remove any dead leaves to keep the plant healthy. More importantly, so that they do not attract pests like the evil mealybug!
Mealybugs are the biggest pest threat to your succulents. They love to hide in crevices on your Echeverias. Therefore, be sure to inspect your plants regularly. Signs of mealybugs will appear in the form of a white cottony web or disfigured leaves. Be sure to eradicate them immediately.
These insects drink the sap out of plants. In addition to secreting honeydew that attracts ants. A Q-tip dipped in alcohol or spraying with an organic pest killing soap will do the trick. Read my complete post on mealybugs eradication here.
Aphids are less common but still a potential threat to Echeverias. Like mealybugs, they suck out the sap. If left untreated, they will eventually kill your succulent. Nevertheless, protect your echeveria by applying diatomaceous earth to the soil and neem oil to the succulent. Also, use an insecticidal soap to control existing infestations.
Learn more about Mealybug and pest eradication here.
Echeveria Diseases
Never let Echeverias laui stand in water for prolonged periods of time. Otherwise, the chances of rot and other fungal diseases will skyrocket. Root rot is caused by consistent moisture. Subsequently leading to bacterial infections. In any event, the good news is that it is easy to prevent. Specifically, avoid overwatering and use a well-draining soil.
Root rot is best caught early. Therefore, routinely check for rot on your Echeverias. Rotted sections will be brown or black and mushy. The rot usually starts in the roots. Then, it spreads up the stem. If you find an infected part, you’ll have to remove it. Otherwise, it will spread.
First, cut away the rotted section. Second, leave your succulent out of the soil for a few days so it can dry out and callous over. Third, repot in fresh well-draining soil and keep an eye on watering.
Echeveria Sunburn
Brown spots may appear on your Echeveria laui. These are most likely from sunburn. Therefore, move your plant out of direct sun to prevent further damage. Learn how to save your sunburned succulents here.
There are TONS of Echeveria laui hybrids. In fact, it is notoriously bred for their beauty. Check out our post covering some of my favorite Echeveria laui hybrids here.
In conclusion, Echeveria laui is true beauty. If you are looking for a beautiful low-maintenance succulent, look no further. If you have any additional laui tips, please leave them in the comments below.
Complement your Echeveria laui with these varieties:
SEE MORE HOUSEPLANT TIPS:
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