Echeveria Gilva

Echeveria Gilva, also known as Wax Rosette, is an attractive succulent from the Crassulaceae family. It is not a naturally occurring species but a horticultural hybrid, first described by Eric Walther in 1935. Its exact parentage is not entirely clear, although it is most commonly associated with a cross between Echeveria agavoides and Echeveria elegans.

The plant forms dense, compact rosettes that can reach approximately 15 cm in diameter. Its thick, fleshy leaves have an elongated, obovate shape and typically display yellow-green to olive-green colours. With plenty of sunlight and cooler temperatures, the leaf tips and margins develop attractive pink to red tones. Mature plants can produce offsets and gradually form small clumps.

During summer, upright flower stalks emerge above the rosette and can reach up to 30 cm in height. They carry small, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink to reddish pink, with yellow tips. Their delicate colouring creates a lovely contrast with the fresh green tones of the foliage.

Echeveria Gilva needs a sunny position and a well-drained substrate suitable for succulents. Water only after the substrate has dried out completely and avoid allowing water to collect in the rosette. Reduce watering considerably during winter and keep the plant in a bright, frost-free location. With its compact rosettes, changing leaf colours and delicate flowers, it is a lovely choice for smaller pots and succulent collections.