Santa Barbara Succulent

Santa Barbara Succulent (Echeveria agavoides 'Santa Barbara') is a rosette succulent with frosted, silvery-green leaves that taper to a sharp point, each edged in dark red from the start. It reaches about 15cm tall and 30cm wide, and the leaves turn more maroon as it grows. It suits anyone who likes a succulent with a little armour.

Why you'll love it

• Red edges from the start. Even young plants show dark red margins on the silvery-green leaves.
• Pointed and graphic. The tapering leaves give the rosette a sharp, architectural look.
• Deepens with age. Leaf tips become more maroon as the plant matures.
• Wide and low. A 30cm spread forms a dramatic, flat rosette for pots and gravel beds.

Where it works best

Gravel gardens and rockeries. The frosted silver looks crisp against dark stones. Plant 30cm apart, and keep it clear of paths because the leaf tips are sharp.

Feature pots. A single rosette in a wide, shallow pot is all it needs.

Bright rooms. A sunny windowsill suits it, held away from where people brush past. 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 Santa Barbara Succulent in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the strongest leaf colour. Introduce a new plant to hot summer sun over a week or two to avoid scorch. Outdoors, choose a sunny, sheltered position in warm temperate, Mediterranean or arid and semi-arid areas, or a dry covered spot in the subtropics. It is frost tender, so in cool or frosty areas grow it in a pot that can move under cover for winter.

Soil. Plant in free draining soil, either a gritty cactus mix in a pot or a raised, gravelly bed with the crown just above the surface.

Water and feed. Check the soil with a finger before every drink and water only when it feels dry. Aim at the base of the plant so the centre stays dry, and ease off to a monthly soak through winter. One weak feed in early spring is enough.

Pruning. No pruning. Remove dead lower leaves carefully, with gloves on, because the points are sharp.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Santa Barbara Succulent as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once it is potted up. Tube plants are small young rosettes, and the maroon tones deepen as they grow.

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

• Browse the full echeveria range
• Succulents for hot climates
• Complete guide to succulent care
• How to repot succulents

Common questions

Are the leaves really sharp?

The leaves taper to a sharp point, so keep the plant away from paths and play areas and wear gloves when handling.

Do the red edges appear straight away?

Yes, they are dark red even on young plants. The tips become more maroon as the plant grows.

How wide will it spread?

About 30cm across and 15cm tall, so allow space around it and do not crowd it with larger plants.