Dark Vader Succulent

Dark Vader Succulent (Echeveria hybrid 'Dark Vader') is a dramatic echeveria bred from Topsy Turvy and Black Prince. It forms a rounded rosette of elegantly curved silver-blue leaves about 20cm tall and wide, which flush pink, red or burgundy in strong sun. It is one of the darker, moodier rosettes you can grow outdoors or in a bright room.

Why you'll love it

• Deep colour from sun. The silver-blue foliage takes on pink, red and burgundy tones in bright light, so the sunnier the spot, the darker the plant.
• Two good parents. The curving, recurved leaves come from Topsy Turvy and the dark colouring from Black Prince.
• Bigger than most. At around 20cm across it is a proper feature rosette rather than a filler.
• Low effort. It needs little beyond the right light, sharp drainage and sparing water.

Where it works best

Feature pots. A single rosette in a wide, shallow terracotta or glazed pot is enough. For a group, plant 20cm apart.

Sunny rockeries. Against pale stone or gravel in full sun, the dark tones stand out best. Keep it where winter rain cannot sit in the crown.

Bright rooms. It also grows indoors in a bright living room, though the colour is softer than it is in strong sun. Standard pet safety lists do not class echeverias as toxic to cats or dogs, though a chewed plant is a sorry sight and may upset a stomach.

Growing Dark Vader Succulent in Australia

Position and climate. Strong morning sun and bright light bring out the colour, with a little shelter from the harshest afternoon sun in hot inland summers. Introduce it to full summer sun gradually. It copes outdoors across warm temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, and in the subtropics when it is kept out of the wet. Frost damages it, so where winters are cold keep it potted and bring it inside or under an eave from autumn.

Soil. Gritty, free draining soil is the rule. In a pot use a cactus mix with extra coarse sand, and in a garden bed raise the planting area and top-dress with gravel.

Water and feed. A succulent in a pot wants a long, thorough soak followed by a proper dry spell. Direct the water to the soil around the plant rather than into the rosette, and cut back sharply in winter. Feed lightly once in spring, at half the label rate.

Pruning. No pruning. Pull away dried lower leaves as the rosette matures, and lift off any pups that form once they have roots.

What to expect when it arrives

Dark Vader Succulent is sold as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that settles in quickly once potted up. A tube plant is a young rosette, so its deep colour and full curved form develop over its first season in good light.

Plants are packed to travel upright and arrive in good order. Take them out of the box straight away, stand them in bright shade for a few days, then shift them gradually into stronger light. 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 emails you the day it is back in stock.

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

• Explore our echeveria collection
• Succulents for hot climates
• A complete guide to succulent care in Australia
• Repotting tips for a healthy start

Common questions

Why is mine not dark?

Dark colour needs strong light. Plants kept in a dim spot stay silver-blue or green, so move them somewhere sunnier gradually.

Can it live indoors?

Yes, in a bright lounge room or beside a sunny window. Expect a paler plant than one grown in strong outdoor light.

How often should I water it?

Only when the soil has dried completely, roughly every two weeks in a summer pot and much less in winter.