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4.6 out of 5 (25 experiences)


About Mexican Firecracker
There are hundreds of plants belonging to the Echeveria genus, each with its own unique colors and patterns.The wild species are native to Central America and were named after the botanical illustrator Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy. They're super easy to grow as long as they get lots of sunlight. ☀️ They can be easily propagated by stem or leaf, making it easy to catch 'em all!
Taxonomy
Echeveria setosa
Echeveria
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales

How to care for Mexican Firecracker

How often to water your Mexican Firecracker

every 12
Mexican Firecracker needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Mexican Firecracker in your home

a window
Mexican Firecracker love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Mexican Firecracker does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Mexican Firecracker in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Mexican Firecracker

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Mexican Firecracker after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Mexican Firecracker is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Mexican Firecracker thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Mexican Firecracker requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Mexican Firecracker is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.
Humidity
Mexican Firecracker prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.
Soil
Mexican Firecracker is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
Fertilizer
Mexican Firecracker grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Mexican Firecracker to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Mexican Firecracker is native to Central and northern South America.
Flowers
Mexican Firecracker produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
Mexican Firecracker grows in a rosette pattern, with leaves neatly arranged in a circle. New growth will emerge from the center.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Mexican Firecracker can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Mexican Firecracker can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Mexican Firecracker. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.
Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Mexican Firecracker
Mexican Firecracker
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say





