Plant Care Mexican Firecracker

Mexican Firecracker

4.7 out of 5 (24 experiences)

Mexican Firecracker has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Mexican Firecracker has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

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

💦 Water

How often to water your Mexican Firecracker

Water needs for Mexican Firecracker
0.5 cups
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.

Calculate water needs of Mexican Firecracker

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Mexican Firecracker in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Mexican Firecracker: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
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 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Mexican Firecracker

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Mexican Firecracker: repot after 2X growth

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.

Browse #Echeveria
💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

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!

Benefits of Growing Mexican Firecracker →

Common Mexican Firecracker Problems →


💦 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.

Mexican Firecracker Water Frequency →

Mexican Firecracker Root Rot →


☀️ 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 🏡.

Mexican Firecracker Light Requirements →

Mexican Firecracker Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 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.

Mexican Firecracker Toxicity to Cats →

Mexican Firecracker Toxicity to Dogs →

Mexican Firecracker Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Mexican Firecracker enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Mexican Firecracker Humidity Needs →


🪴 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!

Best Soil Mix for Mexican Firecracker →

When and How to Successfully Repot Mexican Firecracker →


💩 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize Mexican Firecracker →


❄️ 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

Yes, you may see your Mexican Firecracker bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Mexican Firecracker Flowers →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Mexican Firecracker grows in a rosette pattern, with leaves neatly arranged in a circle. New growth will emerge from the center.

How and When to Prune Mexican Firecracker →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Mexican Firecracker can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Mexican Firecracker Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Mexican Firecracker can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Mexican Firecracker →


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


😖 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

Mexican Firecracker


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

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

Mexican Firecracker has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 17
Mexican Firecracker has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 11
Mexican Firecracker has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 5
Mexican Firecracker has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 2
Mexican Firecracker has a Browns easily plant personality Browns easily 2
@jessw1059 avatar
@@jessw1059
leaf-1 10 Plants
xp 1,314 XP
globe Calgary, Alberta
01/11/2022

Such a cute, fuzzy lil guy. Doesn’t need too much attention. I’ve had him for a couple months and he’s grown so much!! Haven’t seen any flowers bloom yet though :(

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@lucyisfit avatar
@@lucyisfit
leaf-1 3 Plants
xp 562 XP
globe Norwich, England
06/22/2021

doesn’t need a lot of water, had it at least a year now and still looks good

Browns easily Browns easily
Survivor Survivor
@morbidsesh avatar
@@morbidsesh
leaf-1 8 Plants
xp 341 XP
06/20/2021

so fuzzy. such a soft little guy. a warm friend

Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@Sunflower_Sam avatar
@@Sunflower_Sam
leaf-1 11 Plants
xp 2,815 XP
globe Ottawa, Ontario
05/30/2021

Mine is resilient. I accidentally dropped him on the floor and then my kid ripped him apart and he’s fine now. He’s so cute too.

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@charza avatar
@@charza
leaf-1 20 Plants
xp 421 XP
05/30/2021

i LOVE!! so cuteeeee the flowers are gorgeous!! :D

@LunaMay avatar
@@LunaMay
leaf-1 7 Plants
xp 165 XP
globe Carson City, NV
05/17/2021

Grows fast, easy maintenance.

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@MichellesOasis avatar
@@MichellesOasis
leaf-1 11 Plants
xp 214 XP
02/14/2021

My first batch of succulents and so far so good. Love the way they look and easy growing. Fun watching them grow. I highly recommend 👍🏾

Survivor Survivor

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