Also known as variegated hens and chicks, the Echeveria Compton Carousel is one of those plants that just take your breath away when you see them.
This stunning succulent makes for a wonderful addition in group displays with other Echeveria varieties or different types of succulents. It can add a unique and attractive touch of color and texture to your interior or exterior decoration layout.
Below is everything you need to know about Echeveria Compton Carousel from how to propagate it and where to place it, all the way to water, light, and heat requirements.
Echeveria Compton Carousel – Description
Echeveria Compton Carousel is a succulent plant that’s known to form charming clumps of small, tight rosettes. The clumps can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and about 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.
Echeveria Compton Carousel sports short leaves that are blue-grey in color with cream margins. Older leaves and leaf margins gain a pink tint, particularly in winter.
When it flowers, you can expect to see gorgeous yellow and orange flowers on inflorescences that reach up to one foot (30 cm) tall, growing vertically then arching over softly.
Echeveria Compton Carousel – Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Echeveria
Echeveria Compton Carousel – Origin
Echeveria Compton Carousel is thought to share similar ancestry to Echeveria Imbricata, which is believed to be a hybrid that came about in the 1800s between Echeveria Secunda and Echeveria Gibbiflora ‘Metallica’.
Echeveria Compton Carousel – Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C)
Echeveria Compton Carousel – Propagation
There are 3 ways you can propagate Echeveria Compton Carousel, either using leaves, seeds, or cuttings. This type of succulent doesn’t require frequent repotting, but of course, repotting is essential the first time after you’ve bought from the store. Here’s how to propagate Compton Carousel:
- Using Leaves: start by carefully collecting a leaf from the mother plant. The leaf should be healthy and whole with no parts left on the stem.
Fulfilling these conditions is the only way the propagation with leaves will work. Before you replant, wait for a couple of days to let it callous.
Plant your new succulent in well-draining soil and don’t forget to water regularly when the soil dries out.
- Using Cuttings: if you want to propagate Compton Carousel from cuttings, carefully cut a leaf from the mother plant with a clean knife or scissors.
Before replanting, wait for a few days as well to allow the plant to callous. Use well-draining soil for your new succulent and remember to water when the soil dries out.
- Using Seeds: This succulent type is already a slow grower, so even if you can propagate it using its seeds, this method is generally not recommended.
Still, if you want to try seed propagation, then start by planting the seeds in a well-draining soil mixture. You can attempt this method outdoors where the weather moderately warm. In cooler areas, indoor propagating is a better approach.
Echeveria Compton Carousel – Care Guide
Watering Technique
Watering is the most important aspect when it comes to good Echeveria care. This succulent type needs typical watering as the other succulents of the genus.
The watering method you use is crucial for keeping your Compton Carousel healthy. If you’re planting your Echeveria Compton Carousel indoors, you have two techniques to pick from:
Either you pour water through the soil until it runs out via the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot, or you water from below by placing the pot into a dish filled with water so the water can travel into the drainage hole and through the porous soil surface.
- For the top watering technique, use a watering can with a very narrow spout to pour the water directly onto the soil. This will allow you to hit your target without getting water on the leaves.
- Be very careful to avoid splashing water on the rosette as this can cause rot or fungal diseases that can kill the plant. If drops of water do find their way onto the leaves, use a paper towel to soak up the water right away.
- If you go for the bottom watering technique, you must be mindful of how long you leave your succulent sitting in water. Don’t leave it for too long, about fifteen minutes should be enough or until the surface of the soil becomes wet.
- Once your succulents are watered, allow the soil enough time to dry. Do not water it again until the soil dries up almost completely.
The bottom watering method is called the soak-and-dry method, and it works very well for all succulents and cactus because it mimics the natural environment from which the original Echeveria plant came.
These plants are typically exposed to periods of heavy rain followed by drought in their South American and Mexican homelands. This is what they are used to, and these conditions are what stimulates them to develop strong, healthy roots and avoid diseases such as root rot and leaf rot.
Watering Frequency
The frequency of watering your succulent plants depends mainly on your setting.
For example, if you live in an area that’s more humid than average, you’ll need to water less frequently. But if you live in a drier than normal region, or if you have a central heating system that’s reducing your ambient humidity, you’ll need to water more frequently.
Generally speaking, schedule your watering sessions once about every week to ten days. Keep in mind, however, that other variables such as plant size and pot size may affect this schedule.
As a rule of thumb, check your soil every few days and water when you find it’s almost completely dry.
Light
Echeveria Compton Carousel succulents require strong light, so when planting this succulent plant in your garden, make sure it’s placed where it can get plenty of sunlight. We’re talking full to partial sunlight to achieve the best growth results.
As such, it’s generally better to grow your Compton Carousel outdoors compared to indoors.
Temperature
Echeveria Compton Carousel succulent thrives in a warm climate. It can survive in zones 9a to 11b which is around 20 °F (-6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
If you live in a cold place, it’s recommended to plant your Compton Carousel in an indoor garden where it can get enough sunlight to grow happily.
Wrap Up
The Echeveria Compton Carousel succulent is a unique plant that forms gorgeous clumps of rosettes and blooms in the spring, producing yellow and orange flowers. It makes for a lovely addition to your collection of plants, especially if you display it in an elegant pot.
Luckily, taking care of the Compton Carousel isn’t at all difficult as long as you follow the basic rules of watering and light exposure, as well as avoid common mistakes such as allowing the plant to become root-bound.
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