Echeveria Hercules is a hybrid of an unnamed Echeveria Pulidonis cultivar and Echeveria Elegans cultivar. The result of this cross is a beautiful, large growing succulent that is both hardy and pleasing to the eye.
While Hercules is an easy to grow succulent, there are a few things to know about this plant. The advice below is based on growing thousands of these plants at our nursery Fern Farm Plants.
Description
Echeveria Hercules is an evergreen succulent with a rosette type arrangement of leaves. The colour is usually blue-gray but can change throughout the year. The edges of the leaves are pink and when the plant is stressed and/or in winter, back of the leaves also turn deep pink.
A white, dusty coating of the protective farina covers all the leaves which are thick, short and pointy. They grow tightly together, if the plant is exposed to enough sunlight.
The rosettes of Echeveria Hercules grow on a low stalk, close to the ground. Individual plants can reach approximately 15-20cm in diameter and 15cm height in ideal conditions.
Hercules forms clumps of rosettes. Once a rosette is mature, it will produce offsets at the bottom. Each offset will then go on to produce offsets of their own. This plant can be very prolific with its offsets and mature plants tend to grow upwards of 10 per year.
Echeveria Hercules flowers every spring. The blooms come up on a tall stalk where individual bell-shaped, yellow flowers open.
Position & Care
Echeveria Hercules is an easy succulent to grow and can stay outdoors all year round in moderate climates with no frost. Unfortunately, this plant is not frost hardy and will need to be brought indoors during winter when frost or snow is expected.
Echeveria Hercules will survive outdoors if the temperature does not fall below 1C/33F. Mild frost should not this succulent but it is likely to cause burns on the foliage.
The best appearance is achieved when Hercules is grown in full sun autumn-spring and morning sun- afternoon shade during summer. During heatwaves of over 35C/95F it is likely this plant will get burn marks from strong UV rays and should be moved under cover/in shade/under 30% shade-cloth for the afternoon.
While Echeveria Hercules will grow in a bright shade outdoors it is unlikely to produce those attractive pink tips and the rosette will not be very compact.
In pots, use succulent potting mix and for best results re-pot to a slightly bigger pot every growing season. This will help the plant grow to its full size and produce many offsets.
Echeveria Hercules can also be grow in the garden and looks particularly fantastic in rockeries, succulent gardens or at the edges. Plants in the ground are usually a lot hardier than those grown in pots. Mulch or pebbles can be used as well.
As long as succulent potting mix is used in pots, Echeveria Hercules should not show any adverse signs to overwatering or too much rain. It is important the plant gets enough sun and that the pot has holes, so the water does not clog the roots.
If Echeveria Hercules is in a greenhouse or undercover, water once the potting mix dries up. In the ground it will not need to be watered all that often, provided it rains at least every other week. During heatwaves/drought a good, deep soak every few days will ensure the plant is happy and grows well.
Echeveria Hercules is not suitable to be grown indoors, other than for over-wintering. The only time this plant will have a chance at surviving inside is if it’s grown under plant growing lights or in a super bright sunroom.
Propagation
Echeveria Hercules can be propagated by offsets, leaves and seeds. While propagating by offsets is the easiest method, leaves also have a fantastic strike rate. As for seeds, while possible it can prove difficult to raise this plant from seed.
As mentioned above, Echeveria Hercules will grow quite a few offsets which can easily be taken off and propagated. To read a more in-depth article on how to propagate succulent by offsets, go here.
It is easy to do leaf propagation with Echeveria Hercules as it has a very high strike rate and a single leaf can produce as many as 3 or 4 rosettes. We have a detailed article on succulent leaf propagation here.
Seeds may not be a great idea for a number of reasons. One, it can be hard to find a reliable seed seller that will actually sell you seed that has not been contaminated with pollen of other succulents/ sell seeds that are viable. Two, germination of the seeds can also be unreliable and three, it can take a long time (years) for a seed to grow to a decent sized plant.
Whichever propagation method is used, Echeveria Hercules should only be propagated in the growing season. This would be spring and summer, though do be careful young plants do not get burned in strong summer sun.
Pests
Echeveria Hercules is susceptible to all the usual succulent pests. Aphids can attack the flowers, while the mealy bugs can burrow between the leaves.
For a list of animals that like to eat succulents, you can read another one of our articles here.
Toxicity
As most Echeveria, Echeveria Hercules is not toxic to humans, dogs, cats, other pets or livestock, though it is not recommended to consume this plant as food.
Where can I get it?
Echeveria Hercules can be a little hard to get but specialist succulent nurseries/ online nurseries should stock this plant.
Our nursery Fern Farm Plants sells Echeveria Hercules in Australia.