#echeveria

i'm back...!!!

been going through a lot of crazy health stuff since i forgot abt this account but! I wanna start doing this again cuz it was fun...

Above images from Mountain Crest Gardens.

Today's plant is Ceropegia Woodii, more commonly known as String of Hearts. I'm focusing on specifically the variegated variety of this plant as it's my Favorite plant ever. Ever.

The variegated form of this plant is most characteristically known for its distinctive pink margins around the pretty little heart-shaped leaves, that get pinker and pinker the more sun exposure they receive!

These plants are known as "semi-succulents", meaning they store a lot of water in their leaves but can't survive extended drought like an echeveria or cactus would be able to, and are native to South Africa.

They typically bloom (like most succulents) in late summer to early fall, with these weird little alien-bell looking flowers! I think their blooms are so interesting, like no other plant i've seen blooms like this.

I actually had sought out this plant for YEARRSS like since i got into plants when i was like 13, and finally got my first one about 3 years ago!!! She grew sooo long and gorgeous but unfortunately has since died due to my health issues i mentioned earlier 😔 but i will try again someday !!! Persevere in the face of hardship or whatever teehee.

Ideas for a mid-sized, drought-tolerant, summertime stone garden path in a backyard with full sun.

Echeveria cante × subrigida

This striking Echeveria is a hybrid done by Garden Manager & Assistant Curator Walker Young. Its parents are related species from Mexico, and Walker thought that by crossing them he might gain some hybrid vigor and get a plant better able to withstand our winter cold and wet (both parents, like most species of Echeveria, come from summer-rainfall areas). So far, it looks like we have a winner!

June 10, 2026

I finally gave this plant a soil refresh. If you look at past photos, the soil seemed to have sunk down over time. Today I emptied the pot, poked some extra drainage holes in the bottom, and then filled the pot with all-new soil. I placed the plants higher up in the pot so they don't have to strain to get sunlight. I also moved them a little closer to the center so they can grow more freely.