Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’, also known as the Plush Plant or Red Devotion, is a popular succulent from Mexico. It is admired for its velvety, fuzzy leaves and vibrant coloration, making it a striking addition to any plant collection.
Identifying Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’
Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ is recognized by its unique foliage. It forms a shrubby rosette with woody stems. Its narrow, paddle-shaped leaves are light green, appearing silvery due to soft, ciliate hairs, giving them a velvety texture. The leaves are tipped with vibrant red or burgundy, which intensifies in ample sunlight, giving the plant its name. This succulent typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall and wide.
Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ Care Guide
Caring for Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ requires understanding its environmental needs to encourage vibrant coloration and health. Providing proper light, water, soil, temperature, and nutrients helps this succulent thrive.
Light Requirements
Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ needs bright, direct sunlight, at least six hours daily, for optimal growth and vibrant leaf coloration. Strong light intensifies the red tips, mimicking its natural arid habitat. A south-facing window indoors or a sunny outdoor spot is ideal. Protect it from the harshest afternoon sun to prevent sunburn, which appears as brown or white patches.
Watering
Like most succulents, ‘Ruby Slippers’ is drought-resistant and prefers infrequent, deep watering. Use the “soak and dry” method: water thoroughly until it drains, then allow the soil to dry completely before rewatering. Overwatering causes root rot and fungal infections, so check the top two inches of soil for dryness first. Reduce watering significantly during cooler, dormant winter months.
Soil and Potting
Well-draining soil is essential for Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ to prevent waterlogging. A commercial cactus or succulent potting mix is suitable, but adding grit like coarse sand, perlite, or pumice enhances drainage. Pots must have drainage holes; unglazed terracotta pots are a good choice for breathability. Repot every one to two years during the growing season, choosing a slightly larger pot.
Temperature and Humidity
This succulent prefers average household temperatures, between 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). It is not cold-hardy and cannot tolerate temperatures below 40°F (4.4°C), making it unsuitable for outdoor winter conditions in colder climates. Echeveria harmsii prefers low to moderate humidity, consistent with its arid native environment. Adequate air circulation helps prevent moisture-related issues and fungal diseases.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ is not always necessary, as it can thrive without it. However, a light feeding can encourage growth and flowering during its active season (spring and early summer). If fertilizing, use a diluted liquid succulent-specific fertilizer at half strength when watering. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent damage.
Propagating Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’
Propagating Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ is straightforward, using leaf or stem cuttings, or by separating offsets.
Leaf Propagation
Select a healthy leaf and allow it to callous for a day or more to form a protective seal, preventing rot. Place the calloused leaf on well-draining succulent soil and mist occasionally to encourage root formation within weeks.
Stem Cuttings
Cut a healthy stem section and allow it to callous for 3-5 days before planting in well-draining soil.
Offsets
Gently separate miniature plants (offsets) that form at the base of the mother plant and plant them directly into their own pots. Offsets root more quickly than leaf cuttings due to their developed structure.
Common Issues with Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’
Echeveria harmsii ‘Ruby Slippers’ is generally resilient, but can face problems, primarily from incorrect watering. Overwatering causes bloated, yellowing leaves, root rot, or mold. Underwatering results in wrinkled, droopy, brown leaves, indicating dehydration.
Insufficient light leads to leggy growth, where the plant stretches and loses its compact rosette form. Sunburn, appearing as brown or white patches, can occur from prolonged, unacclimated direct sun. Pests like mealybugs (small, cottony masses) and aphids (tiny sap-feeding insects) can infest the plant, especially in fuzzy leaf crevices, causing distorted foliage.