Name: x Pachyveria 'Empress'
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: E602-empress
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

x Pachyveria 'Empress'

£14.50

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How we ship our plants

Most of our plants are shipped bare-root. Please note that the plant you receive may not be an exact likeness of the images shown.

x Pachyveria 'Empress', created by Dave Poulgrain, is a hybrid of x Pachyveria 'Myrtilla' and an unknown blue Echeveria (rumoured to be 'Juniper').

This plant features elegant large deep-blue leaves that shape to create a large open rosette. It will go almost a completely different colour under strong light, turning from deep-blue to army-green. It will bloom every year with a thick pink stem that contrasts against the plant and shows off its beautiful array of fluorescent flowers.

Perfect indoors on a windowsill or outside in a pot to grow large. It will offset naturally and can grow to a rather large size.

Also known as:

Empress Pachyveria
x Pachyveria Empress

Where it thrives

Sunlight Full Sun 5+ hrs of sun

Recommended location Sunny Windowsill

Recommended location Outdoor Tabletop

Recommended location Conservatory

Plant characteristics

Growability Beginner

Growth form Singular rosette

Growth rate Moderate

Minimum temperature -2°C

Mature size, height and width 20 cm x 20 cm

Foliage colour Cyan and Pink

On Arrival

x Pachyveria 'Empress' is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove all protective material and check that the rosette, stem and roots have arrived in good condition. Avoid rubbing any powdery farina from the leaves.

Plant x Pachyveria 'Empress' in fresh, free-draining compost. Spread the roots naturally rather than folding or forcing them into the pot. Hold the rosette above the compost while filling around the roots, then tap the pot lightly on the potting bench several times to settle the mixture. Do not press the compost down heavily by hand or bury the lowest healthy leaves.

Wait five to seven days before watering. This resting period allows small root injuries caused during lifting and transport to dry, reducing the risk of rot. After this, water lightly while the roots establish. Begin using the full 3 D's method once the plant is firmly rooted and showing healthy new growth.

Keep x Pachyveria 'Empress' in a bright, sheltered and airy position during establishment. Protect it from intense midday sunshine for the first week, then introduce it gradually to its recommended light conditions. A small amount of lower-leaf softness is normal while the root system recovers, but the central rosette should remain firm.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water x Pachyveria 'Empress' thoroughly, making sure the entire root area is moistened and water runs freely from the drainage holes. Allow the compost to dry before watering again. Follow our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry.

Check the compost and the weight of the pot rather than watering to a fixed schedule. During active spring and summer growth, a small pot in a bright, warm position can dry quickly and may need checking several times a week. A larger pot, a humid position or cool weather will slow the drying process considerably.

Direct the water towards the compost and avoid repeatedly filling the centre of the rosette. Water trapped between tightly packed leaves can leave marks and encourage crown rot, particularly during cool or still weather. We recommend watering in the morning so the foliage and compost surface have time to dry before temperatures fall overnight.

Reduce watering through autumn as temperatures and natural light levels fall. During winter, keep the compost mostly dry and give a little water only when the plant shows genuine signs of thirst, such as lower leaves beginning to soften or wrinkle.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide x Pachyveria 'Empress' with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Sunny Windowsill, Outdoor Tabletop, and Conservatory. Echeverias and related rosette hybrids need strong natural light to maintain a compact, symmetrical shape and develop their best Cyan and Pink colouring.

Avoid dark rooms and positions far from a window. Insufficient light causes the rosette to open, flatten or stretch upwards as it searches for more light. Once this growth has stretched, it will not become compact again, although brighter conditions will improve the new leaves produced from the centre.

Introduce x Pachyveria 'Empress' to direct sunshine gradually after winter, delivery or a period under cover. Sudden exposure to strong spring or summer sun can scorch leaves that have not adjusted. Increase the amount of direct light over approximately ten days and provide temporary shade during intense heatwaves.

Many Echeverias have a powdery protective coating called farina. This helps shield the foliage from strong light and moisture loss. Avoid rubbing or handling the leaves unnecessarily because fingerprints and disturbed farina remain visible until the affected leaves are replaced by new growth.

Compost and drainage

Plant x Pachyveria 'Empress' in a fresh, free-draining mixture containing approximately one-third good-quality multi-purpose compost, one-third John Innes No. 2 and one-third horticultural grit or perlite. This provides enough organic material to support growth while creating the air spaces and drainage channels needed by succulent roots.

Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes. A container without drainage gives excess water nowhere to escape and makes root rot much more likely. Terracotta is a useful choice in the cooler, humid UK climate because its porous sides allow moisture to evaporate more quickly.

Choose a pot only 2-4cm wider than the existing root system. An oversized pot contains a large volume of unused compost that remains wet for too long. Apply a thin layer of horticultural grit around the plant to keep its lowest leaves away from damp compost and help the surface remain open and airy.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should contain enough nutrients to support x Pachyveria 'Empress' for approximately three to six months. When repotting in spring, a five to six-month slow-release fertiliser can be mixed through the compost according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If you prefer liquid feeding, wait until the plant is established and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at half the recommended strength every two to four weeks during active spring and summer growth. Feed only when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering.

Stop feeding during autumn and winter as growth slows. Fertiliser applied in weak light can produce soft, stretched growth and make the plant more vulnerable to cold damage. Do not overfeed in an attempt to intensify the foliage colour. Strong light and allowing the compost to dry correctly are more important.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for x Pachyveria 'Empress' is -2°C. Move it into a bright, airy and protected position before conditions fall below this level. Most tender Echeverias and rosette hybrids are best kept frost-free, with temperatures of approximately 7-13 degrees Celsius helping them remain compact without encouraging weak winter growth.

Give x Pachyveria 'Empress' the brightest position available during the shorter days. A greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool windowsill can provide suitable protection. Avoid placing the plant directly above a radiator because warm conditions combined with weak winter light encourage stretching and can dry the leaves while the compost remains damp below.

Keep the compost mostly dry. If the lower leaves become noticeably soft or wrinkled and the pot feels light, give a small amount of water in the morning. Never leave the plant standing in water, and make sure the drainage holes remain clear.

Use high-quality horticultural fleece during short cold spells where additional protection is needed. Drape it loosely so it does not press against or mark the rosette, and remove it during milder periods to restore light and airflow.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

Spring and summer are the main growing seasons for x Pachyveria 'Empress'. As light and temperatures increase, it can produce new central leaves, offsets and flower spikes. Check the compost regularly and water thoroughly whenever it has dried.

Keep greenhouses, conservatories and indoor growing areas well ventilated. Echeverias enjoy bright conditions, but intense heat trapped behind glass can scorch the outer leaves and slow root activity. Provide temporary afternoon shade during exceptional heatwaves while maintaining plenty of overall light.

Rotate a pot-grown plant regularly so the rosette receives light evenly and does not lean towards a window. Remove fully dry lower leaves carefully because they can trap moisture and provide shelter for mealybug.

Flower spikes can be left in place for their display and value to pollinating insects. Once the flowers have finished and the stem begins to dry, cut it close to the base using clean snips. Avoid pulling the spike from the rosette, as this can damage the main stem.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot x Pachyveria 'Empress' during spring when the roots are escaping through the drainage holes, the rosette has become unstable, water passes straight through tired compost or healthy growth has slowed despite suitable light.

Allow the old compost to dry, then ease the plant from its container while supporting it beneath the rosette. Do not pull it by the leaves. Remove as much old compost as possible and inspect the root system. Healthy roots should feel firm; brown, hollow or soft roots should be removed with clean snips.

Position the plant at the same depth in a pot only one or two sizes larger. Keep the central growing point and every healthy leaf above the compost surface. Fill around the roots without compressing the mixture heavily, then tap the pot gently to settle it.

Leave the newly repotted plant in a bright, sheltered position for at least three to five days before watering. This gives small root injuries time to dry and reduces the chance of rot entering through fresh wounds.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

A loose, open or stretched rosette usually means x Pachyveria 'Empress' is not receiving enough light. Move it gradually into a brighter position and rotate the pot regularly. The existing stretched leaves will remain, but new growth from the centre should become more compact.

Soft translucent leaves, a loose central crown, blackened tissue or a sudden collapse are signs of excess moisture and possible rot. Remove damaged material, inspect the roots and allow healthy tissue to dry before repotting into fresh, dry compost.

Dry brown patches can result from sudden sun exposure, especially where the farina has been rubbed away. Introduce direct light gradually and avoid touching powdery foliage.

Older lower leaves naturally soften, dry and detach as the rosette grows. Remove them once they come away easily. Check beneath the lowest leaves and around the roots for white cotton-like mealybug, treating an infestation promptly and isolating the affected plant.

A tall central stem is not always caused by low light. Echeverias produce flower spikes, often during spring and summer. A flower stem emerges between the leaves and carries buds, while stretched vegetative growth causes the entire rosette to become loose and elongated.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

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x Pachyveria 'Empress'

Where it thrives

How to care for x Pachyveria 'Empress'

Plant characteristics

On Arrival

Watering

Light and position

Compost and drainage

Feeding

Winter care

Summer care

Repotting

Common problems

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