Ben Badis Succulent

Ben Badis Succulent (Echeveria 'Ben Badis', a cross of Echeveria purpusorum and Echeveria derenbergii) forms neat rosettes of greyish-green leaves, each tipped with blood red. It grows about 20cm tall and slowly builds into clusters up to 60cm across. A mature, happy plant sends up long stems of orange-yellow bell flowers, and it needs little more than sun and sharp drainage.

Why you'll love it

• Red-tipped rosettes. Grey-green leaves tipped with blood red stack up in fat, rounded layers, a combination that looks hand painted.
• It grows into clusters. Offsets build a clump up to 60cm wide, so one plant gradually fills a bowl or a rockery pocket.
• Orange-yellow bell flowers. Mature plants in good light send up long stems of small bell flowers above the rosettes.
• Hardy and drought tolerant. Once established it copes with dry spells and neglect far better than it copes with overwatering.
• Safe around pets. Echeverias are generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs, so it suits a family patio.

Where it works best

Rockeries and gravel gardens. Plant 30cm apart in gritty pockets in full sun. The clusters spread to fill the gaps and the red tips stand out against stone.

Pots and bowls. A shallow, free draining pot suits the shape of the rosettes, and a single pot makes a good focal point on a table or step.

Indoors. Give it your brightest window. In dim rooms the rosettes stretch and the red tips fade.

Growing Ben Badis Succulent in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the best leaf colour, and indoors it wants the brightest spot you have. It suits frost free gardens in subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid climates. Echeverias are frost tender, so where frost occurs grow it in a pot and shelter it for winter.

Soil. Plant in well drained soil. A cactus and succulent mix suits pots, and in the garden a raised, gritty bed is best on heavy ground.

Water and feed. Water when the top of the soil is dry, and take care not to overwater. Water around the plant or into the saucer or cachepot, not onto the rosette. Plants in the ground rarely need feeding.

Pruning. No pruning is needed. Carefully pull away any dead, dry leaves from the edge of the rosette. Resist handling the leaves, because fingers rub off the waxy surface and dull the colour.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Ben Badis Succulent as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly in a bright, free draining spot. Expect a small rosette at first. It grows slowly and steadily, then starts to cluster.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our full range of echeverias
• More succulents for pots and gardens
• Plants for rockeries and gravel gardens
• Succulents in Australia: a complete care guide

Common questions

Why are the red tips fading?

Almost always low light. Move it into full sun or the brightest window and the blood red returns on new leaves.

Will it flower?

Yes, once it is mature and happy. Orange-yellow bell flowers rise on long stems above the rosettes, usually after a good season in bright light.

How often should I water it?

Only when the top of the soil is dry. The most common cause of loss is too much water, so when in doubt, wait another few days.