€10,60

🌱 Morphology
A compact Echeveria that develops a symmetrical rosette approximately 10–15 cm in diameter, usually solitary, although it may produce offsets over time. Its growth is relatively slow and it maintains a very orderly architecture when it receives sufficient light.

The leaves are fleshy, wide at the base and progressively narrowing towards the apex, with a smooth and slightly convex surface. Their coloration is their main attraction: the leaves acquire maroon, burgundy, very dark purple, and almost black tones, especially in plants grown with plenty of light. The color can intensify significantly during periods of high light and cooler temperatures.

The rosette thus takes on an almost black appearance, although reddish and violet nuances can often be seen when observing the leaves up close. Insufficient light causes a loss of chromatic intensity and encourages the leaves to spread, causing the rosette to lose its compact shape.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Family Crassulaceae. As this is a cultivar of horticultural origin with undocumented genealogy, it cannot be attributed to a natural distribution or an infrageneric section or series of Echeveria.

The name ‘Black Princess’ is used for a cultivated selection characterized primarily by the extremely dark coloration of its leaves. It should not be automatically confused with Echeveria ‘Black Prince’, which is indeed documented as a hybrid of Echeveria shaviana × Echeveria affinis.

❄️ Temperature
USDA Zone 9b. It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −4 ºC on an occasional basis if it is completely dry and protected from humidity. To keep it in good condition during winter, it is preferable to avoid prolonged exposure below 0 ºC.

As with many Echeverias, the combination of cold, damp substrate, and poor ventilation poses a significantly greater risk than an occasional drop in temperature with a dry plant.

☀️ Lighting
Full sun. Indicative DLI PAR: 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. It requires very high light levels to keep the rosette compact and develop the characteristic maroon, purple, and almost black coloration. Intense exposure especially promotes the concentration of dark pigments in the leaves.

A gradual acclimatization to direct sun should be carried out when the plant comes from greenhouse or shaded conditions. During extreme heat episodes in Madrid, it may be advisable to provide some protection during the central hours, without reducing the daily light too much.

With little light, the leaves elongate and separate, the rosette loses its geometry, and the black color gradually turns into duller green or reddish tones.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. In Spanish cultivation, it concentrates its activity during temperate seasons and significantly reduces growth during winter, coinciding with the decrease in the photoperiod and temperatures.

During the active growth period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before watering again. Water should be applied directly to the substrate, avoiding water retention in the center of the rosette.

During the summer, if temperatures are exceptionally high and the plant slows its activity, it is advisable to space out waterings. In autumn, they will be gradually reduced, and the substrate will be kept practically dry during winter dormancy.

🌸 Flowering
It produces elevated floral stems that clearly protrude from the rosette. The flowers present a coloration ranging from red to orange, forming groups along the inflorescences. Flowering occurs mainly during spring and summer.

The intensity of flowering depends on the maturity of the plant, the light received during previous months, and the correct alternation between growth and dormancy periods.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied after watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering. During winter dormancy, fertilization is not recommended.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

10x10 cm black gourmet pot

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