Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ (Black Hens and Chicks) Sukulent

Scientific Name

Echeveria ‘Black Prince’

Common Names

Black Hens and Chicks

Scientific Classification

Family:  Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Echeveria

Description

Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ is a slow-growing succulent that produces clumps of short rosettes of dark triangular leaves. The rosettes grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter. Leaves emerge green but shortly darken to a deep lavender brown. With age, the lower leaves widen up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) at the base with an acuminate tip with fine, yellow edges. The dark red flowers appear on short stalks in late fall to early winter.

Photo via washington-dc.cactus-society.org

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Most common Echeveria species are not complicated succulents to grow, provided you follow a few basic rules. First, be careful never to let water sit in the rosette as it can cause rot or fungal diseases that will kill the plant. Additionally, remove dead leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows. These dead leaves provide a haven for pests, and Echeverias are susceptible to mealy bugs. As with all succulents, careful watering habits and plenty of light will help ensure success.

Most Echeveria can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in a succulent or cacti mix and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.

Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots and remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echeveria.

Origin

Echeveria ‘Black Prince’ is a hybrid between Echeveria shaviana with Echeveria affinis.

Hybrids

• Echeveria ‘Bess Bates’

Links

• Back to genus Echeveria
• Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus

Photo Gallery