If you’re looking for a unique color to add to your plant collection, blue succulents are a fantastic choice. Their rare and beautiful varieties offer a cool, striking contrast to the usual greens and reds. The blue hue comes from a natural powdery coating called farina, which protects the plant from sun. This article will help you identify, grow, and care for these special plants.
Blue Succulents – Rare and Beautiful Varieties
This group of plants includes some of the most sought-after specimens for collectors. Their blue color can range from a soft, dusty powder blue to deep, almost teal shades. The rarity often comes from slow growth or specific propagation needs. Let’s look at some standout types you might want to find for your own garden.
Top Blue Succulent Species to Know
Here are some of the most popular and truly blue varieties. Each has its own character and care requirements.
- Blue Chalk Sticks (Senecio serpens): This one is known for its finger-like, powdery blue leaves. It’s a fast grower that makes excellent ground cover in warm climates.
- Blue Rose Echeveria (Echeveria ‘Blue Rose’): This echeveria forms a perfect, open rosette with a lovely blue-green color. It’s a bit more common but stunning, especially when it blooms.
- Blue Prince Echeveria (Echeveria ‘Blue Prince’): Darker than the Blue Rose, this one has pointed, almost blackish-blue leaves arranged in a tight rosette.
Extremely Rare Blue Succulents
Some blue succulents are harder to find and often come with a higher price tag. They are worth the hunt for a serious enthusiast.
- Pachyphytum oviferum ‘Blue Haze’: Often called Moonstones, this plant has chubby, round leaves coated in a thick blue farina. It’s very fragile and slow-growing.
- Echeveria ‘Blue Sky’: A large, ruffled echeveria with a sky-blue color. It can be difficult to propagate true to type, which adds to its rarity.
- Graptopetalum ‘Superbum’ (Beautiful Graptopetalum): This plant forms large rosettes on trailing stems. Its color shifts between blue, lavender, and pink depending on the light.
Essential Care Guide for Blue Succulents
Keeping that blue color vibrant requires understanding a few key principles. The main secret is preserving the farina, that delicate waxy coating.
Light Requirements for Best Color
Most blue succulents need plenty of bright, indirect light to maintain their color. Some direct morning sun is good, but intense afternoon sun can scorch them. If the light is too low, they will stretch out and turn greener. A south or east-facing window is often ideal indoors.
Watering the Right Way
Overwatering is the fastest way to lose a succulent. Always use the “soak and dry” method.
- Check that the soil is completely dry an inch below the surface.
- Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage hole.
- Allow the pot to drain completely and never let it sit in water.
- Wait for the soil to dry out completely again before next watering.
Water the soil directly, not the leaves, to avoid washing off the farina.
Soil and Potting Needs
These plants demand excellent drainage. A standard cactus or succulent mix is a good start, but you can make it even better.
- Use a pre-made cactus mix.
- Amend it with extra perlite or pumice (about 50/50 mix) for faster drainage.
- Always choose a pot with a drainage hole. Terracotta pots are great because they breathe.
Protecting the Precious Farina
The blue powder is not just for show; it’s a sunscreen and moisture barrier. Once touched or rubbed off, it does not grow back on that leaf. Here’s how to protect it:
- Handle plants by the base of the pot or bottom leaves when repotting.
- Keep them where they won’t be brushed against by people or pets.
- If you must clean a leaf, use a very soft, dry brush gently.
- Avoid overhead watering or misting, which can leave spotts.
Propagating Your Blue Succulents
Many blue succulents can be grown from leaves or cuttings. This is a cost-effective way to expand your collection or share with friends.
- Gently twist a healthy leaf from the stem, ensuring you get the whole base.
- Let the leaf end callous over for 2-3 days in a shady spot.
- Place the calloused leaf on top of dry succulent soil.
- Wait for roots and a tiny new plant to appear before giving tiny amounts of water.
- Once the mother leaf shrivels, you can pot the new plant normally.
For stem cuttings, follow the same callousing process before planting in soil.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even with good care, issues can arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot.
Why Is My Blue Succulent Turning Green?
This is usually a sign of insufficient light. The plant is producing more chlorophyll to compensate. Gradually move it to a brighter location. The blue color may return on new growth if the farina develops properly.
Dealing with Pests
Mealybugs and aphids are the main culprits. Check the tight spaces between leaves regularly.
- For small infestations, dab pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- For larger problems, you may need a insecticidal soap or neem oil solution. Test on one leaf first to check for damage to the farina.
Signs of Overwatering
Watch for yellowing, translucent, or mushy leaves. The stem may also become soft. If this happens, you need to act fast.
- Stop watering immediately.
- Remove the plant from its pot and brush away wet soil.
- Cut off any rotten roots or leaves with a sterile knife.
- Let the plant dry out bare-root for a day or two.
- Repot in fresh, dry succulent mix and don’t water for a week.
Design Ideas with Blue Succulents
Their unique color makes them fantastic design elements. Use them as a focal point in a mixed succulent arrangement. They pair beautifully with orange, purple, or red succulents for contrast. In garden beds, they can create a cool, calming effect. Try planting several Blue Chalk Sticks together for a striking “river” of blue in your landscape.
FAQ About Blue Succulents
Are blue succulents real?
Yes, they are real! Their color comes from a natural protective coating (farina) or sometimes from the leaf structure itself.
Where can I buy rare blue succulents?
Check specialized online succulent nurseries, local plant shows, or cactus and succulent society sales. Etsy and eBay also have sellers, but check their reviews.
Can I make my succulent more blue?
You can encourage bluer color by providing adequate sunlight and avoiding handling. Stress from slight sun exposure can sometimes intensify colors, but be careful not to burn the plant.
Do blue succulents need special fertilizer?
Not really. A balanced, diluted succulent fertilizer used once in the spring and once in mid-summer is sufficient. Over-fertilizing can cause weak, fast growth that’s less colorful.
Why is the blue powder on my succulent coming off?
The farina is permanent once disturbed. It can be removed by touch, water, pests, or even some fungicides. New leaves will grow with their own coating if the plant is healthy.
Adding blue succulents to your collection brings a touch of the unusual. Their care is similar to other succulents, with extra attention needed for their delicate coating. With patience, you can cultivate a stunning display of these rare and beautiful plants. Remember to source them from reputable sellers to ensure you get a healthy, true-to-name specimen.