This is my first Echeveria. It has some stretched growth and the lower leaves look rough or are dropping. I’ve improved its lighting, but I’m not sure whether the leaf loss is normal or whether cutting and replanting the top would help. What would you do?
Is my Echeveria stretching, and should I cut it back?
Asked by Marnel
Answers
The stretched shape points to too little light at some point. A bright window can still be weak for an Echeveria, and being close to a lamp doesn’t guarantee enough light if the fixture is weak or doesn’t cover the plant well. Watch the newest growth: if it keeps coming in spaced out or the leaves keep reaching upward, increase the light gradually or use a stronger suitable grow light.
Don’t move it straight into intense sun all at once. Give it time to adjust so the leaves don’t scorch. The old stretched section won’t tighten back up, but better light can help future growth stay more compact.
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A few lower leaves drying up can just be the plant reusing them as it grows. That’s less concerning when they dry out gradually and the stem stays firm. If leaves are turning soft, translucent, or mushy, or the stem looks unhealthy, check for excess moisture and rot instead.
If the remaining leaves are plump, I wouldn’t water just because some lower ones have dropped. Let the mix dry between thorough waterings, and make sure the pot drains freely.
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You can behead and reroot it if you prefer a shorter shape, but you don’t have to. That won’t fix the spacing on the existing stem, and the lower part may look bare for a while. With enough light, the new growth on the rooted top should be more compact.
I’d sort out the lighting first, then decide whether you still want to propagate it. Some stem growth and lower-leaf loss can happen as an Echeveria matures, so a little height doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.
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