Hybrid Echeverias in the subtropics.
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Tropical Zone
Subtropical Zone
 Temperate Zone
Cool Zone
Semi-Arid Zone
Mediterranean Zone
Arid Zone
Select your zone for a
growing guide:

Tropical & Sub-tropical Zones

This is one of the easiest of zones. Gardening in the subtropical and tropical regions of Australia means a very long growing season, with the plants seeming not to stop. However, one aspect of cultivation that can be overlooked is the intensity of colour in climates where the winter days are warm, and the only colder time is overnight . In these climates ( say north of Byron Bay, NSW), the winter colours don't get to the same intensity in all varieties, as they do in cooler zones. We have selected from our experience, the best plants to give an excellent display in these warm-winter zones:
  • Herstal
  • Mauna Loa
  • Paul Bunyon
  • Red Sails
  • Crinoline
  • Frills
  • Barbillion
  • Fireball
  • Zorro
  • Afterglow
  • Morning Light

This is not a complete list of the varieties that thrive in the subtropics, but the easiest to get excellent colour with, for the novice gardener.
In our cultivation notes we send with each order, Echeverias.com will tell you how to intensify colours, with a small amount of extra effort.
 Our display at the Nambour Garden Expo demonstrated what colours are achievable by all subtropical gardeners. Unfortunately, Australian gardening books are usually written for temperate and cool climate gardeners only, and can possibly be misleading in their advice.

Sub-tropics Cultivation Tip:

In the subtropics, always grow the plants under a deciduous tree, or on the summer-shaded side of the house, with morning sun only. Prolonged exposure to the intense midday ultra-violet light from Nov. to Mar. can make unsightly sunburn on older leaves. However, sunburn won't kill your plant.

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Temperate Zone

In temperate zones, Echeverias are one of the easiest plants of all to grow, with fewer worries about 40C days to take into consideration. The colour intensity of foliage increases with the cooler winter. They have a fairly long growing season, and have a longer period in each year when they look their most flamboyant. Cultivation methods are the same in all zones generally, but temperate zones need to 'dry off' their plants more for the winter. We recommend all varieties in this zone for showiness.

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Cool Zone

This zone is the envy of most who adore the hybrid Echeverias. The colour intensity is at it's peak for the longest period of the year, however, they do need more winter protection, with snow and heavy frosts in some locations. An excellent zone to grow them in if you're cultivating competition-grade Echeverias.The best zone for most varieties.

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Semi-Arid Zone

Growing hybrid Echeverias in this zone is acceptable and they perform well, but greater care is required because of the extremes of heat and cold throughout the year. Microclimates make it impossible to give a broad idea of cultivation in these zones, and you need a blend of two zones: Tropical/subtropical and Cool. We recommend all hybrid varieties in this zone for colour.

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Mediterranean Zone

They grow very well here, with water control. This zone tends to wet winters, dry summers, which is opposite to their natural regime, but easily managed. Perhaps the main consideration is not letting them become water-logged in the winter if they are grown in the garden.
Again, we recommend all hybrid varieties in this zone for a showy display

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Arid Zone

Growing hybrid Echeverias in this zone is more difficult, however they perform well. Again, greater care is required because of the extremes of heat and cold throughout the year. Microclimates here also, make it impossible to give a broad idea of cultivation in these zones, and you need a blend of two zones: Tropical/subtropical and Cool, with this zone having very hot summer days and cold night temperatures
. We recommend all hybrid varieties in the Subtropical zone guide, for reliable display of colour.