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4.5 out of 5 (483 experiences)


About Mexican Snowball
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 EcheverrĆa y Godoy. They're super easy to grow as long as they get lots of sunlight. āļø They can be easily propagated by stem or leaf, making it easy to catch 'em all!
Taxonomy
Echeveria elegans
Echeveria
Crassulaceae
Saxifragales
Also known as
Pearl Echeveria, Pearl Echeveria, Hens and Chicks, White Mexican Rose, Mexican Gem, Succulent and Lone Star

How to care for Mexican Snowball

How often to water your Mexican Snowball

every 12
Mexican Snowball needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnāt 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 Pearl Echeveria in your home

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

How to fertilize Mexican Snowball

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 itās likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Mexican Snowball after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.

Mexican Snowball 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 Snowball 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 Snowball requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Mexican Snowball 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 Snowball 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 Snowball is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnāt 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 Snowball grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Itās common for Mexican Snowball 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 Snowball is native to Central and northern South America.
Flowers
Mexican Snowball produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
Mexican Snowball 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 Snowball can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Mexican Snowball 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 ~2ā 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 Snowball. 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 Snowball
Mexican Snowball
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say







