Pachyveria ‘Royal Flush’ is a hybrid succulent created by crossing the genera Pachyphytum and Echeveria. This cultivar forms a loose rosette of thick, fleshy leaves that are naturally a glaucous blue-green color, often described as chubby or tapered. Its unique appeal stems from its ability to develop a dramatic color change, or “flush,” under specific environmental conditions. This coloration, which ranges from rose-pink to deep orange or reddish-purple on the leaf tips, is a stress response highly sought after by collectors.
Essential Environmental Requirements
Achieving the vibrant coloration of ‘Royal Flush’ depends on sufficient light exposure. This succulent requires a minimum of six hours of bright, direct sunlight daily to maintain its compact rosette form and trigger the red or purple pigments. Indoors, a south-facing window is usually the best location, but the plant must be slowly acclimated to prevent sunburn. Insufficient light causes etiolation, resulting in a stretched, pale stem with widely spaced leaves.
The ideal temperature range for active growth is between 65°F and 80°F. Like most succulents, ‘Royal Flush’ is not frost-tolerant and must be protected when temperatures dip below 40°F, as freezing quickly damages the water-storing tissue. The plant enters a winter dormant period where growth slows significantly, requiring adjustments to the care routine during cooler months.
Watering and Soil Composition
The watering routine should mimic arid conditions, allowing for periods of drought followed by thorough saturation. The most effective approach is the “soak and dry” method: water deeply until excess drains from the bottom, then allow the soil to dry completely before the next application. A simple finger test or lifting the pot to gauge its dry weight helps determine if the moisture has fully evaporated. Overwatering is the most common cause of death, leading to root rot when roots are consistently surrounded by moisture.
The soil medium must be highly porous to facilitate rapid drainage and aeration. A specialized succulent or cactus mix is suitable, but better results are achieved by amending standard potting soil with inorganic material. Incorporating pumice, perlite, or coarse sand at a ratio of up to 50% ensures water passes quickly through the container. Proper drainage holes in the pot are non-negotiable for success, as they allow all excess water to escape.
‘Royal Flush’ requires minimal supplemental feeding because it is a slow-growing plant adapted to nutrient-poor environments. If desired, a highly diluted liquid succulent fertilizer can be applied once or twice during the active growing season in spring and summer. The fertilizer should be mixed at half the strength recommended on the product label to avoid burning the roots or causing unnatural growth. Do not fertilize during the winter dormancy period, as the plant is not actively utilizing nutrients.
Propagation Techniques
Multiplying this hybrid is straightforward, utilizing asexual methods that produce clones of the parent plant. The most common technique is propagation by leaf cuttings. This involves gently twisting a healthy leaf from the main stem, ensuring the entire base is removed cleanly. The severed leaf must be allowed to rest in a dry, shaded area for several days until a protective layer, called a callus, forms over the wound. The calloused leaf is then placed on top of dry, well-draining soil, where it will eventually sprout roots and a tiny new rosette from the base.
Another successful method involves separating the offsets, or “pups,” which are small side rosettes that naturally grow at the base of the mother plant. Once an offset reaches a manageable size, it can be carefully removed with a clean knife and allowed to callous for a few days. The calloused offset can then be planted directly into its own pot of dry succulent soil. Propagation attempts are most successful during the plant’s active growing period in the spring or early summer.
Addressing Common Growth Issues
Even with proper care, growers may encounter specific issues. The most frequent pests that target ‘Royal Flush’ are mealybugs and scale insects, which often hide in the tight leaf crevices near the stem. Signs of infestation include white, cottony masses or sticky residue. Treatment involves dabbing the visible pests with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, which dries out the insects.
If the plant is not receiving enough light, the stem will elongate. Once the stem stretches, the growth cannot be reversed, and the only solution is to “behead” the plant by cutting off the healthy rosette and replanting it after the stem end has calloused. Overwatering results in leaves that become soft, mushy, and translucent. If this occurs, stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry out, or repot the plant into fresh, dry soil.