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Mexican Hens

About Mexican Hens

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

Scientific name

Echeveria shaviana

Genus

Echeveria

Family

Crassulaceae

Order

Saxifragales

Also known as

truffles, Pink Frills, Warty Lettuce, Pink Frills and 'Neon Breakers'

How to care for Mexican Hens

💦 Water

How often to water your Mexican Hens

Mexican Hens 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

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Mexican Hens in your home

Mexican Hens love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Mexican Hens does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Mexican Hens in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Mexican Hens

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Mexican Hens: 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 Hens after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Echeveria

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Mexican Hens 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 Hens →

Common Mexican Hens Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Mexican Hens 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 Hens Water Frequency →

Mexican Hens Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Mexican Hens 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 Hens Light Requirements →

Mexican Hens Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Mexican Hens 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 Hens 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 Hens Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Mexican Hens 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 Hens →

When and How to Successfully Repot Mexican Hens →

💩 Fertilizer

Mexican Hens 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 Hens →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Mexican Hens 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 Hens is native to Central and northern South America.

🌸 Flowers

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

Mexican Hens Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Mexican Hens 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 Hens →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

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

Mexican Hens Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Mexican Hens 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 Hens →

🧐 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 Hens. 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!