How to grow and care for Echeveria Black Knight plant

While succulents are famous for their sturdiness and drought-resistance, they still need proper care to grow healthy. Particularly, Echeveria Black Knight needs extra care to stay happy and healthy. Considering that, we are providing you with a guide that will help you take proper care of your Echeveria Black Knight.

Climate

No doubt, Echeveria Black Knight looks amazingly beautiful in the patio planters. But, it is important to consider the climate condition of your region before adding these plants to your garden. Since these succulents are native to Central America and Mexico, they are unlikely to survive in the cold climate. In other words, Echeveria Black Knight will die in the freezing temperatures.

If you live in cold region and giving up on growing these incredible succulents because of the climate, there is a solution for you. You can grow Echeveria Black Knight indoors while providing them with the utmost care they need.

Lighting

Large Black Knight Succulent Plant | Click here to purchase

Echeveria Black Knight loves the full sun; however, make sure to avoid afternoon sunlight in the summers and drastic sunlight changes for your plant to thrive. Not to mention, drastic changes in lighting can stress out your plant.

As mentioned earlier, Echeveria Black Knight loves to bask in sunlight, which means you will need to ensure your plant gets enough sunlight. But, in case you live in a region that has hot climate, bring your succulent in a shady spot in afternoon.

When the weather is hot and dry, direct and intense sunlight may affect your Echeveria Black Knight’s health and eventually burn the plant. In case the damage to leaves is severe, it is best to trim out the burned leaves. Not to worry; a new stalk will start to re-grow within a few days.

Water

Water the soil but not in much quantity; make sure that the water does not sit in the rosettes of your Echeveria Black Knight. Note that, excessive watering and too much moisture on the foliage can make the plant rot. Even worse, it can lead to fungal diseases that can kill your Echeveria Black Knight over time.

While watering, you need to ensure the water trickles down through the drainage hole. But do not water again until the potting mix feels dry to touch. If you notice that your Echeveria Black Knight leaves are becoming shriveled or wilted, it is a sign that you have been overwatering it. In such a situation, avoid watering your plant for a few days.

Since the succulents store water in their chubby leaves, they do not require water too often; therefore, decrease watering during winters.

Fertilizer

Like some other succulents, Echeveria Black Knight does not require fertilizer. However, if you mix it in the soil, keep in mind that too much of fertilizer can burn the leaves of your plant. Therefore, add only a slow-release fertilizer in little quantity to your plant. Avoid adding fertilizer in winters and fall.

Soil

If you are growing the Echeveria Black Knight outdoors, remember that they will flourish well in poor to average soil. However, the plant grows indoors is likely to thrive in cactus potting mix. If you could not find it, you may use a mixture of perlite/sand and potting mix. Like many other succulents, the soil of Echeveria Black Knight drains quickly, which helps prevent the moisture from rotting the roots.

Containers

If you want to grow your Echeveria Black Knight indoors, you will need a suitable-sized container for it. Depending on the plant size, you will need to choose the right-sized plant pot for your succulent.

Keep in mind, too small container will suppress the roots, affecting its growth. Large pots, on the other hand, provide extra room for the water to sit in. Therefore, opt for the plant container for your container that perfectly fits the size of your Echeveria Black Knight.

The Bottom Line

Although growing Echeveria Black Knights is easy, they need to be cared properly to thrive. Therefore, make sure to provide your plant with the right growing conditions, as mentioned above.

Besides, when your Echeveria Black Knight matures, make sure to remove the lower leaves as they are prone to aphids and other pests. Also, if you are growing the plant indoors in fall, do not forget to place them to the outdoors in spring for healthy growth.

Watch the video below (and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more great videos) to see how to grow and care for Echeveria Black Knight plant:

See more about How to care for Adenium Obesum Desert Rose

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Echeveria ‘Black Knight’

R. J. Taylor collected this succulent under bushes and trees on the road between Mazatlan and Durango in Mexico.

Description

Echeveria ‘Black Knight’ is not a hybrid but an especially dark form of the very variable Echeveria affinis that forms rosettes of blacker, slightly differently shaped leaves.

The attractive flowers are urn- to bell-shaped, with scarlet corolla and olive-green sepals, and appear in clusters on up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall stalks in summer.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Most common Echeveria species are not complicated succulents to grow, provided you follow a few basic rules. First, be careful never to let water sit in the rosette as it can cause rot or fungal diseases that will kill the plant. Additionally, remove dead leaves from the bottom of the plant as it grows. These dead leaves provide a haven for pests, and Echeverias are susceptible to mealy bugs. Finally, as with all succulents, careful watering habits and plenty of light will help ensure success.

Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide.

Most Echeverias can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, although a few are better from seeds or stem cuttings. To propagate a leaf cutting, place the individual leaf in potting soil for succulents and cover the dish until the new plant sprouts.

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