Echeveria Affinis (Echeveria Black Prince/Echeveria Silver Queen)

Calling all ye loyal subjects, come hither and witness the nobility of the plant kingdom.

With its arresting dark leaves that seem to cause a commotion wherever it buds, this low-growing member of botanical aristocracy sounds like a dramatic character from a scene of Game of Thrones. This Halloween-appropriate succulent has recently been gracing the backyards of Mediterranean rock gardens, container patios, and green roofs, enchanting all those who come across it.

All hail the Echeveria Black Prince Succulent!

The Black Prince is small, dark and handsome

Echeveria Black Prince succulent can be described as striking clumps of 3-inch, distinguished rosettes with dark purple, nearly black leaves with a glowing green epicenter. The wide, fleshy leaves are triangular and start off growing bright green and darken as the plant matures. The more sun exposure the succulent gets, the darker the foliage becomes.

As the plant ages with time, the leaves widen out at the base and develop an acuminate tip with yellow tones on the peripheries. The Black Prince blooms during late fall and early winter. Short, leafy stalks jut out from the core of the plant and bring forth cheerful, bell-shaped, scarlet red flowers. Inside the red flowers, you will find smaller, yellow star-shaped flowers that contrast pleasantly with the whole plant.

With the right conditions, the blooms of the Echeveria Black Prince can last right through the winter.

Be sure to check out another member from the Echeveria family in “Getting To Know The Gorgeous Slow Grower Echeveria Purpusorum”.

Echeveria Black Prince Care

Like most succulents, Echeveria Black Prince succulent likes to settle its roots in palaces with well-draining soils. It thrives amongst sandcastles and cactus potting mix. To avoid root rot, you can add gravel or pumice to a regular potting mix to create the perfect grounds for this succulent.

1. Sunny Side Up

Considering that the Echeveria Black Prince descends from warm, dry regions, it is a bit of a sun worshiper. These succulents love bright filtered light and sunny outdoor locations. It can tolerate partial to full sunshine for up to 6 hours a day but should be kept under a sunshade when the temperatures start to get toasty.

Echeveria Black Princes that are grown indoors will do well to perch on a sunny, east, or west-facing windowsill that is free from strong wind drafts. You might have to move the Black Prince around the house before it finds the optimal spot where it is happiest.

The Black Prince is not a big fan of winter, but it can tolerate frost and cold temperatures for short periods. If you reside in an area with extreme winter conditions, you might want to move the Black Prince inside until the weather improves. If they have to remain outside, you can invest in frost protection.

See the difference between succulents that prefer cold weather over warm with “Summer & Winter Succulents: What’s the Difference?“.

2. Scattering The Succulent Spawn

The Echeveria Black Prince succulent can be propagated through seeds, leaves, offsets, and cuttings.

When selecting leaves to propagate, choose a firm, healthy leaf, and make a clean cut from the stem. Let the leaf callous over for about three days, then lay it on a cactus mix or treated potting soil for about two weeks, water only when the soil has completely dried out. You can plant your new Black Prince plant in its growing pot when the roots and a rosette appear, and the mother leaf has withered away.

As your Echeveria Black Prince plant grows, it will develop offsets at the base of the plant. You can pluck these out once they form rosettes, let them dry out for about two days, and replant them.

Make sure to also check out “How to Propagate Your Succulents Successfully” for our full guide to propagating.

3. Regal Grooming Tips

Like all royalty, the Echeveria Black Prince likes to look its best at all times. There are a few grooming guidelines you can follow to keep your Black Prince in tip-top shape.

• Never let water remain in the folds of the rosette, as water can cause rot and fungal disease.
• As the plant grows, it is normal to see the bottom leaves start to wilt away. It is okay to trim these leaves off.
• Always remove any leaves or debris from the plant pot that may encourage pests like mealy bugs. These critters have an affinity for Echeveria. The Black Prince is mostly disease-free, but a small dose of rubbing alcohol or Neem oil should clear away any creepy-crawlies.
• The Black Prince remains dormant during the winter and should be repotted only during the warm season when the soil is completely dry. Fertilization works best during the spring to encourage blooms.
• Acclimate this succulent slowly to the sun to prevent sunburn or sun damage.

ALSO READ:

• Overwatered Succulent Remedies: Everything You Need To Know
• 5 Succulents You can Grow in a Coffee Mug
• 8 Rare Succulents Worth Exploring Today

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The Echeveria Black Prince has earned his crown to the Succulent Kingdom, adding flair in every planter arrangement, because as we all know, ‘black goes with everything!

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Happy Planting!