Echeveria 'Dark Ice' is a succulent plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family, specifically the Sedum genus. It is one of the varieties in the Moon Shadow series and is considered a medium-sized variety. Its leaves are thick and elongated, with a slightly concave or flat surface and rounded backs, lacking the characteristic "dragon spine" lines. The leaf tips are sharp or obliquely pointed, with short leaf tips. The plant grows in a standard rosette shape and is covered with a white frost. Normally, the leaves are bluish-green in color, but in environments with ample sunlight and significant temperature variations, the leaf base darkens, and the leaf edges turn bright red, giving it a distinctive appearance.
Echeveria 'Dark Ice' is not particularly difficult to care for, and it can withstand the summer heat with ease. However, it's recommended to use small pots for cultivation to facilitate controlled growth. For instance, pots with a diameter of around 10 centimeters and a depth of 8-10 centimeters are ideal. This ensures that the Echeveria 'Dark Ice' plant remains compact and is easier to develop its characteristic coloration. As for soil mix, to achieve optimal conditions, the proportion of soil particles should ideally be around 80%. Although this may sacrifice growth speed, it's worth it, as allowing Moon Shadow series succulents to grow unchecked often results in a flattened appearance.
Regarding lighting, Echeveria 'Dark Ice' requires ample sunlight, except during periods of high summer temperatures. Longer exposure to sunlight promotes compact growth and thick leaves, while inadequate light may cause the plant to flatten and exhibit slight elongation. During the summer, it's advisable not to shade Echeveria 'Dark Ice' excessively. Partial shading during the hottest parts of the day, particularly around noon and in the afternoon, is sufficient. Morning and evening sunlight exposure is beneficial, as long as the soil remains moist to prevent sunburn.
Since Echeveria 'Dark Ice' is suitable for controlled growth, strict control of watering is essential. Watering should only be done when the bottom leaves appear dry and depleted, and during the winter, when the plant is expected to develop its characteristic coloration and appearance, watering should be done approximately once every one to one and a half months. With adequate sunlight exposure during this period, Echeveria 'Dark Ice' can attain an excellent state. With abundant sunlight, it naturally transitions to a fully red state, which is highly attractive.
Propagation methods for Echeveria 'Dark Ice' include leaf cuttings, beheading, and division. As a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family, leaf cuttings are commonly used for propagation. Leaves are cut and prepared for insertion into sand or pumice, which is kept slightly moist. Once the cut leaves have dried, they are laid flat on the medium until roots develop, at which point they can be transplanted.