Mexican snowball (echeveria) Echeveria elegans
Mexican snowball (echeveria) (Echeveria elegans) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Crassulaceae family, native to Limestone cliffs of Hidalgo, Mexico. It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Mexican snowball (echeveria) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mexican snowball (echeveria) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Limestone cliffs of Hidalgo, Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Mexican snowball (echeveria) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Echeveria species are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mexican snowball (echeveria)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Mexican snowball (echeveria) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (14 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (18 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (10 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (20 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (12 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (10 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (8 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (5 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (8 plants)
Questions about Mexican snowball (echeveria)
- How far apart should I plant Mexican snowball (echeveria)?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Mexican snowball (echeveria) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mexican snowball (echeveria) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mexican snowball (echeveria)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Mexican snowball (echeveria) flower?
- From about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mexican snowball (echeveria) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Echeveria species are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Mexican snowball (echeveria)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mexican snowball (echeveria). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Outdoors only where winter lows stay above about -4 C; very sharp drainage needed. Powdery bloom marks easily.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Jade plant Crassula ovata
- Common houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
- Roseroot Rhodiola rosea
- Ghost plant (mother-of-pearl plant) Graptopetalum paraguayense
- Moonstones (sugared almond plant) Pachyphytum oviferum
- Burro’s tail (donkey’s tail) Sedum morganianum
- Jelly bean plant (pork and beans) Sedum rubrotinctum