As we have previously established, Echeveria plants are one of the most gorgeous succulents ever found. Another stunning, but rare plant that this genus withholds is the Echeveria Fleur Blanc. These plants have gorgeous blue-green leaves with subtle pink margins shaped just like a rose, with petals neatly arranged in a compact manner. Also, it is much easier to take care of than any other rose-shaped plant you will ever find.
Echeveria Fleur Blanc Genus
This particular genus was discovered in 1828 by A. P de Candolle and was named after Atanasio Echeverria Godoy, who was a botanical artist during the 18th century. The plant resembles many other families but what sets it apart is its flowers. The Echeveria plant blooms yearly and its flowers look like succulents too. They are not fuzzy and are shaped like a bell.
The genus has hundreds of species like and Fleur Blanc is one of the most beautiful ones out there. It is of special importance that all Echeverias are polycarpic, meaning that they can germinate all year long. This means that your singular Fleur Blanc will turn into clusters without any extra cost of adding new plants.
Classification
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Subfamily: Sempervivoideae
- Genus: Echeveria
Origin of Echeveria Fleur Blanc
Just like all the other Echeveria plants, this succulent is native to Neuvo Leon, Mexico, and South America. It is most commonly found in the dry areas of this distribution because of its preferred habitat which is deserts and rocky lands.
Features of Echeveria Fleur Blanc
Color, texture, and Density
These plants have thin, compact leaves, blue-green and have a beautiful pink outline. They have a powdery texture and a waxy exterior to protect them from insects and extreme weather, like heavy rain and scorching sunlight.
Evergreen
Like most succulents, these plants are evergreen, meaning that they stay green, “rose-y” and beautiful throughout the year, regardless of the seasons passing. This is one of the reasons why this plant is loved for decorative purposes.
Height and Width of the Plant
These are low growing plants that grow about 3 to 5 inches tall and spread about 6 inches wide. If they start to grow wider and open up, there is something wrong with them. Check the plant thoroughly for any signs of being unwell and fix whatever is wrong as soon as possible.
Temperature Tolerance
The Fleur Blanc succulent has high-temperature resistance and can thrive in fairly warm environments due to its origination from the desert areas. However, these plants are sensitive to lower temperatures and should not be left sitting in the cold. During winter, it is advised to move them indoors.
Flowers
The rubbery Fleur Blanc plant blooms beautifully in summer and spring and forms elegant bell-shaped flowers that are golden/yellow.
Drought-resistance
As succulents, Fleur Blanc plants are extremely drought resistant, which means that they can store and conserve water for a very long time and do not need to be watered regularly.
Pollination
These plants attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees which help them pollinate and create offsets throughout the year.
Disease and Pests Resistance
Unfortunately, birds are not the only living creatures these plants attract. Slugs, grasshoppers, aphids, and mealybugs are also common findings around the succulents. But what you want to stay clear of are spider mites. If your plant has spider mites you can see little webs hidden underneath the leaves. Look for these along with the lowest leaves of the plant as that is where they tend to hide most often.
To prevent this from happening, you can mulch around the plant with gravel or sand. But if it has already caught the bugs, cleaning the plant with Neem oil or alcohol can help get rid of the problem in no time. If the situation is too bad for natural remedies, you can use insecticides. However, be careful of how much of these poisonous chemicals you expose the plant to, as they can cause damage if used in excessive quantities.
Stem rot (or fungal root rot) is also a disease you want to look out for. The best way to handle this is via the “prevention is better than cure” concept. Keep your watering schedule in check, as fugal growth is most commonly caused by excessive watering, moisture on the leaves and ill-drained pots.
Larger animals may also be attracted to the growing plants because of their attractive colors but thankfully, they are both resistant to deer, dogs, and rabbits.
Toxicity
Fleur Blanc succulent itself is not toxic to animals or humans but it is still suggested to keep these plants out of the reach of your pets and children. The leaves of the plants are waxy and not easily digested by human and animal bodies. Plus, the plants may contain dangerous chemicals, like insecticides and chemical fertilizers, dust, bacteria, bugs, insects and whatnot on its surface and these can cause mild to severe physical symptoms if ingested.
Durability
These succulents are very durable. They have a perennial life cycle so they can last you decades if you give them the proper Echeveria Fleur Blanc care.
Maintenance:
Like most Echeverias, these are very low-maintenance plants that do not need to be watered too often and can survive on their own without much cost and attention.
Echeveria Fleur Blanc Care
Echeveria fleur blanc care does not require you to watch over the plant 24/7. It does not need regular watering and fertilizing and thrives all through the year. All they ask for is well-drained soil (pH of 5.6 to 7.8), bright indirect light, and moderate temperature.
Water Requirements
When it comes to watering them, the “soak and dry” rule is the way to go for these plants. This rule states that you should water the plant thoroughly and then wait for it to completely dry before you water it again. Do not water it again if the soil is still wet, even if it takes weeks to completely dry.
Soil Requirements
Porous, well-drained soil is the best way to grow a healthy Fleur Blanc succulent. A gritty soil texture with a pH of 5.6 to 7.8 (moderately acidic to neutral to slightly alkaline) will be perfect. Make sure the pot you are using has holes for proper drainage and soil with 50 to 70% mineral grit like sand or perlite (perlite is a non-renewable, low-density and very affordable amorphous volcanic glass that has very high water content. It has the unusual characteristic of expanding greatly when it is heated. Because of all its favorable features, it is often used as a soil amendment. You can find these packaged by several companies).
Sunlight Requirements
These plants thrive in a well-lit, bright environment but also don’t hate partial shade either.
You can put them under direct or indirect sunlight. Just make sure that you protect their leaves from being exposed to the direct, scorching sunlight because too much light and heat can cause “Echeveria sunburn” and damage the plant. To prevent this from happening, you can use a shade cloth to block the harmful direct rays of sunlight from hitting the leaves directly.
Shade cloth will mellow the sunlight and will come in handy if you have houseplants potted outdoors.
Temperature Requirements
These Echeverias love warm surrounding and their waxy leaves protect them from harsh environments but colder temperatures are not their favorite. The range ideal for their growth is 65 to 80 F, however, 30 F is the optimum temperature most specialists suggest. So, make sure you shift the plants indoors when the temperature is expected to drop outside. They will thank you.
Fertilizer Requirements
In their early, growing phase, Echeverias may need to be fertilized quite often. Dilute and organic fertilizers are recommended for this purpose.
Grooming and Mulching Requirements
Fleur Blanc succulents tend to lose their lower leaves as they grow. And because they flower all year long, they are often creating offsets around them too. You must pick up and remove any dead leaves from around the plant as they can lead to insects and weed gathering around it, which can dramatically slow down its growth. Mulching with sand or gravel, as we discussed earlier, can help avoid any uninvited guests.
Re-potting
Whether or not these succulents need to be re-potted depends on their age, health, and environment. Ideally, an Echeveria should be re-potted annually, preferably during the spring or summer seasons. However, if the plant catches a fungal infection or becomes unwell under an inappropriate growing environment, it may need to be re-potted earlier.
Just make sure you use a bigger pot than before and your soil is optimum for the particular succulent’s growth.
Echeveria Fleur Blanc Propagation
Just like Echeveria Pure Love, it is easy to propagate Echeveria Fleur Blanc as well. Follow the steps below to propagate this exotic plant.
- Just cut off a leaf from the plant and lay it down on the soil in a container, tray or pot.
- You can also use one of the flowers from the mature plant for propagation.
- Carefully place the flower in the pot and press down the soil around it. Now, put the plant under bright, indirect light (you can use artificial growing lights for this purpose as well) and water the plant regularly. Give it the recommended Echeveria Fleur Blanc care and it till start growing in just a few weeks.
Timeline
Week 1-4: As soon as you plant the leaf in the pot, start watering it regularly. Fertilize as needed and give it time to grow.
Week 4-6: By this time, roots will start to appear and the leaf you used to propagate the plant will dry out. A new plant will start appearing.
Months 2-5: The new plant will start growing into a white, pale-green flower.
6 months -1 year: Depending on how fast your plant is growing, it will mature and grow up to its maximum height.
Some Common FAQs
Why is My Echeveria Fleur Blanc Opening Up?
If your Echeveria Fleur Blanc’s leaves are separating, it is not because it is “blooming”. The shape of a healthy Echeveria Fleur Blanc is supposed to look like a closely packed rosette. So, if the leaves start to move further apart, this means that the plant is stretching its leaves to find sunlight because it’s not getting enough of it. Move the plant under better light as quickly as possible and it should be healthy again.
Why Does My Succulent Have Tiny Dots on Its Leaves?
If your succulent arrived with dull leaves with dots and patches on them, worry not. It is probably because the plant has dried up a little while it was traveling. Pot it in the suitable succulent soil and give it the “water therapy”. The plant should be back to looking beautiful in just a few days.
Displaying Echeveria Fleur Blanc Succulents
If you have seen these plants, you will agree that they are surprisingly beautiful on their own. The size of these plants allows them to be displayed anywhere, individually or in the form of groups and clusters. You can put them inside containers, on the shelves, your dressing table, on your desk or even on the window sills. The best places to put them indoors would be well-lit areas like the sunroom, the balcony, and the kitchen.
They will also look great outdoors as a part of your little rocky garden as well. You can also put them outside and make your driveway look more pleasant.
Another great use for an Echeveria Fleur Blanc plant is gifting! You can gift these to your special, loved ones and say that they mean a lot to you in your own special, botanical way.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, Echeveria Fleur Blanc succulents are rare but adorable, low-maintenance plants that only need the right amount of light and warmth to thrive fast and perfectly. They are easy to propagate and can grow inside and outside the house. Their drought-resistant properties and beautiful features make them a perfect plant for display as well as a very thoughtful gift.
