Echeveria 'Nightfall' is a captivating succulent that forms a neat rosette of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves. These leaves showcase a striking gradient of color, typically starting with a deep emerald green at the base and dramatically transitioning to smoky purple or a rich burgundy-purple towards their tips, reminiscent of twilight hues. This creates a visually stunning and elegant plant, often reaching about 15 cm in diameter.
 
Appearance and Characteristics:
Dramatic Foliage: The most striking feature of Echeveria 'Nightfall' is its fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves. They exhibit a mesmerizing gradient of color, typically transitioning from a deep emerald green at the base to smoky purple or burgundy-purple towards the tips. This coloration evokes the fading light of dusk, hence the name 'Nightfall'. Sometimes, the center of the rosette can take on reddish tones while the outer leaves remain green.  
Rosette Shape: It grows in a compact and symmetrical rosette formation, typically reaching up to 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter. This elegant form adds a touch of sophistication to any setting.
Flowers: Like other Echeveria, 'Nightfall' is polycarpic, meaning it can flower multiple times throughout its life. In spring or summer, it produces tall flower stalks (cymes) adorned with bell-shaped blossoms. The flower colors can range from pink and coral to red, adding further visual interest.  
Size: It's considered a moderate-sized Echeveria, making it ideal for various uses.
Hardiness: While drought-tolerant, Echeveria 'Nightfall' is generally not very frost-hardy, with a minimum tolerance around 0°C (32°F). Hybrids and cultivars like 'Nightfall' tend to be less tolerant of extreme conditions than some species.
 
Care:
Light: To achieve the most vibrant coloration, provide Echeveria 'Nightfall' with ample bright, indirect sunlight. It can also tolerate a few hours of gentle morning sun. Avoid intense afternoon sun, which can cause sunburn. Insufficient light can lead to the plant stretching out (etiolation) as it reaches for the light, losing its compact rosette shape and vibrant colors. Rotating the pot occasionally helps ensure even growth.  
Watering: Like most succulents, 'Nightfall' is drought-tolerant and prefers to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a primary concern and can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly, ensuring the water drains from the bottom of the pot, and then wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. The frequency will depend on the climate, season, and pot size, but typically every 2-3 weeks is sufficient.  
Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. Adding perlite or pumice to the soil can further improve drainage and prevent water retention around the roots. Repotting is generally recommended every year or so, ideally in late spring.  
Temperature: Echeveria 'Nightfall' prefers temperatures between 18°C and 21°C (65°F and 70°F) and should be protected from temperatures below 10°C (50°F). In cooler climates, it's best grown as a houseplant during winter.
Fertilizing: This Echeveria generally doesn't require frequent fertilization. If desired, you can feed it sparingly in the spring with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer at half the recommended strength.
Potting: Choose a pot with good drainage holes. Terracotta pots are often recommended for succulents as their porous nature helps excess moisture evaporate. Select a pot size that is only slightly larger than the plant's rosette to avoid excessive soil moisture.  
 
Propagation:
Echeveria 'Nightfall' can be easily propagated through various methods:
Offsets (Pups): As the plant matures, it may produce small offshoots or "pups" around its base. These can be carefully separated and repotted.
Leaf Cuttings: Gently remove a healthy leaf from the rosette, ensuring a clean break. Allow the cut end to callous over for a few days. Then, place the leaf on top of well-draining soil or partially insert the cut end into the soil. Keep the soil lightly moist and in bright, indirect light until roots and a new plantlet form.
Seeds: While possible, propagation from seed is a slower process and less common for hybrids like 'Nightfall'.
 
In summary, Echeveria 'Nightfall' is a captivating and relatively low-maintenance succulent that brings a touch of dramatic beauty to any collection or space with its unique dark-toned foliage and elegant rosette form. With proper care, it will thrive and may even reward you with beautiful blooms.  
 
 
* Picture and information intended only as a guide.  Size and colours of plants will vary, not any 1 plant is exactly the same and minor variations will occur.
 
** All plants will be posted bare rooted.