The Lola Marvelous succulent is a popular choice for its unique beauty and relatively straightforward care. It captivates enthusiasts and adds charm to any plant collection.
Discovering Lola Marvelous
Echeveria ‘Lola’ is a hybrid succulent, a cross between Echeveria lilacina and Echeveria derenbergii, created by Dick Wright in the 1980s. It features a tightly packed rosette of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves up to 6 inches in diameter. The leaves display pastel colors like blue-green, grey-blue, pink, and lavender, with delicate pink hues appearing along the edges in bright light or cooler temperatures. A thick layer of powdery farina, a natural wax, gives the leaves a marbled, pearlescent texture and protects them from intense sun. This farina contributes to its ethereal appearance but requires careful handling to avoid marring the leaves.
Essential Care for Lola Marvelous
Lola Marvelous thrives in bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade. Indoors, a south-facing window or grow lights providing 10-12 hours of light daily maintain compact growth and vibrant color. Outdoors, it benefits from morning sun but needs protection from intense afternoon sunlight to prevent scorching.
Infrequent watering is key for Lola Marvelous, as it is highly drought-tolerant. Use the “soak and dry” method: water thoroughly until drainage, then let the soil dry completely before rewatering. Overwatering causes root rot, so it’s safer to underwater. Avoid getting water trapped in the rosette, which can lead to moisture problems.
Lola Marvelous requires a well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Enhance drainage by adding perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to a standard potting mix, aiming for 50-70% mineral grit. This ensures water moves quickly through the soil, preventing root rot.
Lola Marvelous tolerates indoor temperatures of 60°F to 80°F (15°C to 27°C). It is not frost-hardy; protect it from freezing, bringing it indoors if temperatures drop below 35°F (1.7°C). It prefers low to average humidity. Fertilizing is generally not necessary, but a diluted, low-nitrogen liquid fertilizer can be applied sparingly during its spring and summer growing season.
Ensuring Lola Marvelous Thrives
Repot Lola Marvelous every one to two years, or when it outgrows its container, to provide fresh soil and prevent it from becoming root-bound. Choose a pot with drainage holes, ideally terra cotta, for better evaporation. After repotting, wait a few days before watering to allow the plant to settle.
Propagate Lola Marvelous through leaf or stem cuttings, or by separating offsets. For leaf cuttings, gently twist a healthy leaf from the stem, allow it to callus for a few days, then place it on well-draining soil and mist occasionally until roots and new plantlets form. Stem cuttings should also callus before planting.
Prevent pests and diseases by maintaining proper care. Overwatering can lead to root rot and attract mealybugs and fungus gnats. Regularly inspect your plant and remove dead leaves from the base to deter pests and ensure good air circulation. If mealybugs appear, treat them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.