Echeveria ‘Blue Curls’

Echeveria 'Blue Curls' is the succulent to choose when you want a rosette with real presence. Heavily waved blue green leaves edge themselves in pink as the light strengthens, forming a single ruffled head around 30cm across. Pink and orange flowers rise on arching stems in the warmer months, and it is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Sculptural without any effort. The waved leaf edges catch shadow through the day, so one plant carries a pot on its own.
• Safe around pets. It is not toxic to cats or dogs, so a curious pet is not a reason to skip it.
• Water it monthly and forget it. Drought tolerant by design, and far more likely to be killed by kindness than neglect.
• Heat, salt and poor soil. Hot courtyards, coastal balconies and thin gravelly ground all suit it.

Where it works best

Pots, balconies and courtyards. A shallow bowl with a drainage hole shows the rosette better than a deep pot, with one plant per bowl.

Rockeries and gravel gardens. Tucked between stones with sharp drainage underneath, it needs no attention at all once settled.

Borders and small gardens. Set plants about 30cm apart along a dry edge so each rosette keeps its shape rather than merging into the next.

Growing Echeveria Blue Curls in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to bright part shade, with afternoon shade in the hottest arid gardens to prevent scorch. It suits warm temperate, Mediterranean, arid and subtropical gardens. It takes light frost only, so cold districts should pot it and move it under cover for winter.

Soil. A cactus and succulent mix, or garden soil opened up with coarse sand and grit. The container must have a drainage hole. Poor soil is fine, wet soil is fatal.

Water and feed. Soak it, then let the mix dry right through: every two to three weeks in the warm months, monthly or less in winter. Water at soil level rather than into the rosette, where trapped water rots the centre. A half strength feed twice over summer is plenty.

Maintenance. Pull away dried lower leaves and cut spent flower stems at the base. Offsets that form around the parent can be separated and potted on.

What to expect when it arrives

It is sold as tube stock, so the plant that arrives is a young single rosette rather than a full sized specimen. Give it a season or two in good light and it builds to mature size, gaining the ruffled edges as it goes.

Succulents travel better than almost anything else, though a leaf or two may drop in the box. Leave yours somewhere bright for a week before the first water. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse the wider succulent range.
• See more plants that are safe around pets.
• Compare other rockery plants for a gravel garden.
• Read our guide to choosing the right size pot.

Common questions

Is it safe if my cat or dog chews it?

Yes. Echeveria is not toxic to cats or dogs, one of the safer choices for a home with curious pets. A chewed leaf will not grow back, so raise the pot if that matters.

How often should I water it?

Every two to three weeks in the warm months, and monthly or less through winter. Soft translucent leaves mean too much water; wrinkled leaves mean too little.

Can it live outside all year?

In warm temperate, Mediterranean, arid and subtropical gardens, yes, provided it stays out of prolonged summer rain. In frost prone districts grow it potted.

Why is mine stretching and leaning?

Not enough light. The rosette elongates towards the brightest side, so move it into full sun and turn the pot every couple of weeks.