This absolute stunner features broad, spoon shaped leaves graced with a gradient of color, ranging in tone from copper, soft purple, salmon, rich brown, to even a bright yellowy green towards the center of each rosette. Unlike many colorful Echeveria, the leaves of Echeveria ‘Melaco’ are glossy instead of powdery, making for an especially unique addition to container arrangements or temperate rock gardens above Zone 10. The rosettes themselves are petite, reaching only 4 inches wide, but feature taller growth than many similar succulents, reaching up to 8 inches in height. Very bright light is key to ‘Melaco’s fascinating color spectrum, so be sure to place in a sunny windowsill, preferably one with a southern or western-facing exposure. Beyond this, porous soil, excellent drainage, and thorough but infrequent watering will protect the plant from dampness and rot – and further in this vein, it is crucial to water the soil surface directly, rather than pouring water into the rosette where it can accumulate and cause issues. During the winter months, be sure to protect ‘Melaco’ from frost – and as the temperatures warm in the spring and summer months, your efforts will be rewarded with tall flower stalks laden with bright orange blooms.
