Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ 9cm pot

Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ – This is often described as a very pretty, colourful succulent, identifiable by its wide, lavender pink-tinged leaves, that often display brighter pink edging and are described as ‘other worldly’. Certainly, the first time I saw a photograph of the plant I was unsure whether I was looking at a comic book picture of an underwater sea plant! It grows on short stems that end with 12-16 inch (30 -35 centimetre) wide rosettes.

Orange-red flowers emerge from below the lower leaves or sometimes as a terminal inflorescence. Most experts advise to plant in full sunlight for the best colour, but it will also grow well in shade or partial shade.

In well-drained soil, it can survive with occasional watering and it will also tolerate winter rainfall. It is relatively hardy at temperatures down to around 22-25 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 to -5 degrees Centigrade) but you must be warned the plant may slip into a dormant state and may appear to have stopped growing.