Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ is a succulent with large, open rosettes up to a foot in diameter. Its leaves display green, yellow, and red colors, especially along the margins in ample sunlight. This hybrid, a cross between Echeveria secunda and Echeveria multicaulis, is named for its central leaves radiating outwards like sun rays. Its vibrant hues make it popular.
Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ Care
Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ thrives in bright, direct sunlight, essential for its compact rosette shape and vibrant leaf color. Place the plant in a location receiving at least six hours of direct sun daily, like a south-facing window indoors or an unshaded outdoor spot. Insufficient light causes etiolation, where the plant stretches.
While bright light is beneficial, intense, unacclimated afternoon sun can cause sunburn, appearing as bleached or brown spots. Gradually introduce the plant to higher light levels over days or weeks to prevent damage. Outdoors, morning sun with afternoon shade is advantageous during peak summer heat.
Water Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ using a “soak and dry” method, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Check soil moisture; if dry, water thoroughly.
Overwatering causes mushy, yellowing leaves that may drop easily. Underwatering can shrivel leaves, though the plant recovers once rehydrated. Adjust watering seasonally: less in winter, more during spring and summer’s active growing season.
Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ needs well-draining, gritty, and aerated soil to prevent water retention. A specialized succulent or cactus potting mix is ideal for drainage. Enhance drainage further by incorporating inorganic amendments.
Add perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to a standard potting mix for improved aeration and drainage. A common ratio is one part potting soil with one part perlite or pumice. This blend ensures quick water drainage.
Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ prefers moderate temperatures, ideally 65°F-80°F (18°C-27°C) during its active growing season. While it tolerates warmer conditions, prolonged exposure above 90°F (32°C) may cause stress. Protect from frost; it is not cold-hardy and suffers damage below 30°F (-1°C).
If grown outdoors in cold regions, bring the plant indoors or provide frost protection. Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ prefers low humidity. High humidity can contribute to fungal issues or rot, especially with overwatering.
Echeverias are not heavy feeders and do not require frequent fertilization. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half or quarter strength, once or twice during the active growing season (spring and summer). Over-fertilizing can lead to leggy growth and harm the plant. No fertilization is needed in winter.
Propagating Echeveria ‘Sunburst’
Propagate Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ through several methods, leaf cuttings being common. To propagate from a leaf, gently twist a healthy, plump leaf from the stem, ensuring the base is intact. Allow the leaf to dry and form a callus over the broken end for several days in a dry, shaded area.
Once calloused, place the leaf on well-draining succulent soil, or lightly press the calloused end into the soil. Avoid watering until small roots and a tiny rosette form. Tiny plantlets emerge from the leaf’s base once established.
Propagating from offsets is another reliable method. Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ often produces small rosettes at its base or along its stem. Carefully remove these offsets with a clean, sharp knife, including roots if possible.
Allow the removed offset to callus for a few days before planting in its own pot with well-draining succulent soil. Water sparingly until the plant shows new growth. For leggy plants, take stem cuttings, allowing the cut end to callus before planting.
Common Problems and Solutions
Overwatering is a common problem for Echeveria ‘Sunburst’, leading to root rot. Symptoms include mushy, yellowing leaves, and stem blackening or softening. If these signs appear, stop watering immediately, unpot the plant, and inspect the roots.
Trim away any rotten, black, or mushy roots. Allow the plant to air dry for several days to a week before repotting in fresh, dry, well-draining soil. Resume watering only when the soil completely dries out after repotting.
Etiolation, or stretching, occurs when Echeveria ‘Sunburst’ lacks enough light, causing the stem to elongate and leaves to space out. Existing etiolation cannot be reversed, but moving the plant to a brighter location prevents stretching. For severely etiolated plants, the top rosette can be cut off and re-rooted as a “beheaded” cutting.
Sunburn manifests as brown, black, or bleached spots on leaves, usually on the side most exposed to intense sun. This happens when the plant moves too quickly from low-light to direct, intense sunlight. Gradually increasing light exposure over a week or two prevents this.
Pests like mealybugs or aphids can infest Echeveria ‘Sunburst’, appearing as white, cottony masses or small green/black insects. Treat small infestations by dabbing pests directly with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For widespread issues, spraying with a diluted neem oil solution can control the population.