Perle von Nurnberg Succulent

Perle von Nurnberg Succulent (Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg') is a larger echeveria with a neat rosette of flat, pointed leaves, silver-blue when young and blushed with pink as the plant ages. It reaches about 30cm tall and wide, with pearly shading that is richest in bright light. On long stems mature plants carry yellow-orange bell flowers.

Why you'll love it

• Pearly colour. Shades between pink and bluish purple, deepest in bright light, give the rosette its soft, pearly look.
• Elegant scale. At about 30cm across it is a feature rosette that suits a bigger pot or a gap in a rockery.
• Tall flower stems. Mature plants send up long stems of yellow-orange bells.
• Good indoors or out. It grows well in pots indoors in strong light and in sunny positions outdoors.

Where it works best

Feature pots. A single mature rosette in a wide shallow pot is a centrepiece on its own. For several, plant 30cm apart so the rosettes can open fully.

Rockeries and gravel gardens. Its pale colouring stands out against dark stone and gravel. Give it a sunny spot with sharp drainage.

Bright indoor spots. A sunny windowsill suits it, provided the light is strong enough to keep the rosette flat and tidy. Echeverias are not regarded as toxic to cats and dogs, though any plant chewed to bits can upset a stomach.

Growing Perle von Nurnberg Succulent in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the strongest colour. Introduce a plant to strong summer sun over a week or two to avoid scorch. In warm temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland gardens it grows outside happily, and in the subtropics it prefers a spot under cover from the rain. Protect it from frost, and from cold, wet soil in winter, by growing it in a pot that can sit under cover.

Soil. Plant in well drained, gritty soil, with the crown just above the surface. A gravel top-dressing helps keep the base dry.

Water and feed. Water when the top of the soil has dried, pouring around the plant rather than over the rosette, where trapped water starts rot. In a humid summer that is roughly every ten to fourteen days for a pot, and far less in winter. A half-strength slow release feed in early spring is plenty.

Pruning. No pruning. Remove dead lower leaves as they dry, and cut flower stems back to the base after flowering. Avoid fussing with the leaves, because handling dulls their colour.

What to expect when it arrives

Perle von Nurnberg Succulent comes as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once potted into gritty mix. A tube plant is young, so expect a smaller rosette that grows into its pink blush and full size over a couple of seasons.

Thick, water-filled leaves help succulents cope with a few days in a box. Unpack on arrival, give the plant a few days in bright shade, and delay the first watering by about a week. Our grower supplies the tubes, and they do sell out from time to time. A sold out tube simply means the grower has none today: press the notify button on this page and we will email you the day it returns.

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

• See the echeveria range
• Plants for full sun positions
• A complete guide to succulents in Australia
• How to repot a growing succulent

Common questions

How is it different from Purple Pearl?

Perle von Nurnberg has shaded colouring that blends between tones, while Purple Pearl is purple right across with pinker leaf borders.

How large does it get?

About 30cm tall and 30cm wide. It is one of the larger echeverias, so allow space.

Why should I avoid touching the leaves?

Frequent handling dulls the colour. Move the plant by its pot and the rosette keeps its finish.