Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ is a captivating succulent, prized for its vibrant coloration and distinctive rosette form. This hybrid cultivar is a popular choice for both novice and experienced succulent enthusiasts. Its compact size and unique hues contribute to its appeal in diverse indoor and outdoor settings.
Identifying Echeveria Ruby Kissed
Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ is characterized by its tight, symmetrical rosettes of fleshy leaves. The leaves display a pale green to bluish-green base color, with edges and tips developing a striking, deep reddish-pink to ruby hue when exposed to ample sunlight. This “kissed” coloration is most pronounced on the outer leaves and along the margins, giving the plant its namesake appearance. Individual leaves are ovate to spatulate, often slightly concave, forming a dense, overlapping arrangement. Mature rosettes reach a diameter of about 4 to 6 inches, maintaining a compact form.
Caring for Your Echeveria Ruby Kissed
Light Requirements
Adequate light is important for Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ to display its vibrant coloration and maintain a healthy, compact growth habit. This succulent thrives in bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours daily. Placing it in a south-facing window indoors or an unshaded outdoor location encourages the most intense “ruby kissed” edges. Insufficient light can lead to etiolation, where the plant stretches out, and its leaves become pale and widely spaced. While direct sun is beneficial, intense, unfiltered midday sun can cause sunburn, appearing as brown or crispy spots on the leaves.
Watering Practices
Proper watering is important for the health of Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ and is a common area for cultivation issues. The “soak and dry” method is ideal: thoroughly water the soil until it drains from the bottom of the pot, then allow the soil to dry out completely before the next watering. Overwatering is detrimental and can quickly lead to root rot. Watering frequency should be adjusted seasonally; plants require more water during their active growing season in spring and summer and less in the cooler, dormant months of fall and winter.
Soil Preferences
Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ requires a well-draining soil mix to prevent waterlogging and promote root health. A specialized succulent or cactus potting mix is an excellent choice, as these formulations drain quickly and dry out efficiently. Enhancing drainage can be achieved by amending the soil with inorganic materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand, comprising about 30-50% of the total volume. Good drainage is necessary because Echeverias are susceptible to root rot in consistently wet conditions.
Temperature and Hardiness
Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ prefers moderate temperatures, thriving in a range between 65°F and 80°F (18°C to 27°C). As a tender succulent, it is not tolerant of freezing temperatures and is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. If grown outdoors in regions prone to frost, bring the plant indoors or provide protective covering when temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C). Consistent air circulation is also beneficial, helping to prevent fungal issues and maintain overall plant vigor.
Fertilizing Your Plant
Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ has low nutrient requirements and does not need frequent fertilization. Over-fertilizing can lead to rapid, leggy growth that diminishes the plant’s natural compact form and vibrant coloration. If fertilization is needed, apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents or cacti. This should only be done once or twice during the active growing season in spring or early summer.
Propagating Echeveria Ruby Kissed
Propagating Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ is commonly achieved through leaf cuttings. Begin by gently twisting a healthy, whole leaf from the stem, ensuring the entire base is intact. Allow the separated leaves to callus for several days to a week in a dry, shaded location to prevent rot. Once callused, place the leaf flat on top of well-draining succulent soil or slightly bury the callused end.
Keep the soil barely moist by misting lightly every few days, avoiding excessive watering. In several weeks, small roots will emerge from the callused end, followed by tiny rosettes forming at the base of the leaf. Continue to provide bright, indirect light and minimal moisture as the new plantlet develops. Once the new rosette is established and the original leaf shrivels, it can be transplanted into its own pot. Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’ may also produce offsets, or “pups,” at its base, which can be removed and replanted once they reach a suitable size.
Common Problems and Solutions
Overwatering is a frequent issue, manifesting as mushy, translucent leaves or a rotting stem base. The solution involves adjusting watering practices to the soak and dry method. If rot is extensive, unpot the plant to inspect and remove affected roots or stem tissue.
Etiolation, a stretched stem with widely spaced, pale leaves, indicates insufficient light. Moving the plant to a brighter location with more direct sunlight will prevent further stretching, though existing etiolation cannot be reversed.
Pests like mealybugs or aphids can occasionally infest Echeveria ‘Ruby Kissed’, appearing as cottony masses or tiny green insects on the leaves or in crevices. A solution of rubbing alcohol applied with a cotton swab directly to the pests can eliminate them.
Sunburn appears as brown, crispy, or bleached spots on the leaves, usually occurring after a sudden increase in light intensity. Acclimating the plant gradually to brighter conditions can prevent this damage. Loss of the “ruby kissed” coloration signals inadequate light exposure. Increasing the plant’s exposure to bright, direct sunlight will encourage the vibrant red hues to return.