A beautiful succulent, Echeveria agavoides ‘Ebony’ is a hybrid, wonderful specimen plant, small growing wonderful open rosettes when grown in good light, pale green leaves margined with a deep red tip and is a perfect example of the genus.
When first discovered, specimens of this plant were sold for $700 USD and over, fortunately they are more in an affordable price range.
Commonly called the Ebony Wax Agave), and on maturity reaching around 15 – 20cm across, the leaves do have a waxy appearance and colour will change depending on the season and the amount of sun the plant receives.
How to Grow Echeveria agavoides ‘Ebony’
If you are looking at growing this a s a specimen plant then a container is the best choice.
- CHOOSING A CONTAINER
Look for a wide container, around 4 inches deep with good sized drainage holes. The width of the container will depend on the size of the plant, do not overpot as too large a pot can give the plant access to too much moisture which can cause root problems. - POTTING MIX
A free draining potting mix is essential, a normal cactus and succulent mix with 30% scoria, coarse horticultural grit or pumice mixed through should be suitable. - WATERING
Watering is the key to growing this plant. Watering once every week to 10 days is a general rule from spring through summer. In winter watering needs to be minimised, every 3 weeks should be adequate and then only light watering.
Ensure that a wet dry cycle is maintained, it is essential that the soil drys between waterings. The root system on these plants is fairly fine so again, do not over water. - LIGHT/SUN
This is a plant that will grow in full sun with a little afternoon shade. Sun is needed to get the colours in the leaves.
Very hot afternoon sun can cause leaf burn. So try for 4 – 5 hours a morning sun each day and monitor the foliage. The actual amount of sun will depend on your climate zone.
Unfortunately, this is a succulent that is best grown outdoors for good results.
Repotting
As your Echeveria agavoides ‘Ebony’ outgrows its container or every 3 – 4 years you will need to repot. When repotting, also the plant to settle in in a more shaded position than normal and gradually reintroduce it to more sun.
A layer of toppings appliead when repotting will not only improve appearance but also help prevent any splash back when watering and can deter fungus gnats.
Do not water immediately after repotting, let the roots dry a little and then water after 7 days.
Propagation
Echeveria agavoides ‘Ebony’ is not an easy plant to propagate, it rarely produces offsets or ‘pups’, if yours does than wait for them to reach a good size before attempting to remove them. This will help ensure that you get some root system with the offset.
Leaf cuttings are generally not successful, however if you make a head cut, basically removing the centre of the plant you have a good chance of getting multiple shoots from the damaged part.
Before attempting this, read up carefully and perhaps join you local cactus and succulent society for some expert tuition.
Problems
- Poor drainage can quickly cause root rot.
- Lack of sun can cause stretching or etiolation of the leaves.
- Indoors, fungus gnats can be present, treat these in the normal manner.
- Outdoors, slugs and snails can be an issue.
- Leaves turning black can be a sign of overwatering.