How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg

There are so many types of echeveria that it’s hard to choose one. But if you’re looking for elegance, one type stands out: Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’.

The spoon-shaped leaves of this succulent overlap to create a pristine rosette. However, PVN’s intrigue is in its color. The whole plant is a spectrum of blue-gray and pink with a hint of purple. It’s dusted in pruinose (covered with whitish powder).

Although the Echeveria genus is native to Mexico, this hybrid was born in Germany. It was created by Alfred Gräser in the 1930s. He paired Echeveria gibbiflora ‘Metallica’ with Echeveria elegans to make the charming plant we’re admiring now.

A truly magnificent succulent, Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ is ideal for gardeners of all levels. Here’s everything you should know before growing this beauty.

What is Echeveria Perle von Nurnberg?

Perle von Nurnberg directly translates to Pearl of Nurnberg. Its leaves have a pearly appearance, so the name definitely suits it. Pearl of Nurnberg adds even more color in the summer when it grows pink and yellow flowers. 

You’ll have the best luck with Pearl of Nurnberg in USDA Zones 10-11. This succulent needs lots of sunlight year-round. It grows just fine indoors too, as long as it gets enough light.

PVN is a surprisingly short succulent, usually less than half a foot tall. This makes it a great addition to small, eye-level spaces. Perle von Nurnberg is also popular in floral arrangements and wedding bouquets.

Other than the basic PVN, there’s one other notable variety you can find by its common names Echeveria ‘Rainbow’ or variegated Perle von Nurnberg. This bold form has the same colors separated into stripes. It’s less subtle than PVN due to its color saturation and lack of pruinose.

Planting

Planting Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ requires a few simple steps to ensure healthy growth and vibrant coloration.

Start by choosing a container with good drainage if planting in pots, or an outdoor area where water doesn’t pool. This succulent thrives in well-draining soil and typically grows best in terra cotta pots.

Fill the container with a succulent potting mix, or amend the soil with coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage. Carefully take the echeveria out of its current pot and place it in the new pot or garden bed, filling in the gaps with more soil mix.

Hold off on watering for a few days to give the roots time to adapt to their new position.

How to Grow

Not only is Pearl of Nurnberg gorgeous, but it’s also easy to grow and maintain. Here are some tips for success.

Light

Pearl of Nurnberg needs full to partial sun. Six hours of light a day is ideal, but anything above four should be suitable. Consistent exposure to full sun will bring out the deepest colors.

If your echeveria lives indoors, place it in a south-facing window and rotate the pot often. If the light isn’t strong enough in your home, use a grow light if needed.

Water

Succulents, including Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’, store water in the plump leaves to survive drought. Mimic its natural habitat by giving your PVN a deep watering and then letting the soil dry out completely. To really imitate a drought, let your succulent sit in dry soil for a few days before watering again.

Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ only needs minimal water during the winter. The soil will also dry out slower indoors, so test moisture levels with your finger before watering again.

Soil

Well-draining soil is essential for keeping your Pearl of Nurnberg happy. If this plant is left sitting in water, it’s highly susceptible to rot and fungal diseases.

The ideal soil for Pearl of Nurnberg is gritty in texture. Choose a premade succulent soil or custom-make your own. Start with regular potting soil and add in something rocky, such as:

• Perlite
• Sand
• Coconut coir
• Shredded bark

Use a one-to-one ratio of potting soil and drainage amendments. Test the drainage first and adjust as needed before planting.

Temperature & Humidity

Unfortunately for those north of Zone 10, PVN isn’t fond of the cold. It doesn’t tolerate frost well, so try to keep it in temperatures above freezing. Ideally, its environment should always be above 40°F (4°C).

These succulents prefer dry air but can adapt to most environments. Look out for fungal issues like mildew in high-humidity areas.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer isn’t a priority with this plant if planted in the right soil. If you want to give it a boost, do so during the summer with succulent or cactus fertilizer. It should be liquid and balanced or low-nitrogen.

Apply the fertilizer at half strength initially, adding more over the next few weeks as needed. Never apply more than the amount recommended on the packaging. Do not fertilize when the plant is dormant in winter, either.

Maintenance

Pearl of Nurnberg needs to be repotted every few years to aerate the soil. Schedule the move during the summer and wait for the soil to be dry. You can replant in a new container, or just replace the soil in the old one.

After taking your succulent out of the ground, gently brush the soil off the roots. Take the opportunity to check for rot or other problems that are usually underground. After settling your PVN in fresh soil, don’t water for a few days. This will allow the roots to get comfortable and heal from any damage.

Perle von Nurnberg only requires pruning when it has dead leaves. These usually fall off on their own but can be pulled off by hand. Don’t discard the leaves at the bottom of the pot, as mealybugs like to hide there.

Propagation

Echeverias are easy to propagate by leaf and stem cuttings. Once you have the process down, you can grow as many Pearl of Nurnbergs as you want.

Leaf Cuttings

Leaf cuttings are taken by simply twisting the leaf off the stem. Ensure you remove the entire leaf and don’t leave any parts behind. That section in between the leaf and stem is what enables the cutting to grow roots.

After removing the leaf, let it dry out for a few days. Once it’s dry, set it on top of well-draining soil and mist it with water. Keep the soil damp until new roots have grown in. Return to a regular watering schedule once the plant is settled.

Stem Cuttings

Stem cuttings follow almost the exact same process as leaf cuttings.

Instead of twisting, take your cutting by slicing off the stem an inch below the rosette. After it’s dried, stick it upright in the soil and mist. You can test if it has roots by gently pulling on it. If there’s resistance, it’s established.

Echeveria ‘Pearl von Nurnberg’ grows offsets, but slowly. If your succulent has one, feel free to propagate it just like a stem cutting. Alternatively, let the offset grow roots and then propagate by division.

Common Problems

When it comes to gardening issues, prevention is key. Always be on the lookout for symptoms so your succulent will continue to thrive.

Overwatering

Be wary of overwatering your echeveria, the top cause of death in succulents. This will kill it much faster than underwatering will.

Symptoms of overwatering include yellow, mushy leaves that easily fall off. To remedy this, repot your Perle von Nurnberg in new, dry soil. Let it sit for a few days before beginning a revised watering schedule.

Underwatering

Underwatering is harmful to PVN as well, but easier to fix. Just give your plant a good drink and it will usually perk up. When underwatered, the leaves will shrivel up and the plant will wilt.

Etiolation

Always be on the lookout for etiolation. This is a common but easily prevented problem with succulents. When the plant isn’t getting enough sun, it stretches up looking for more. If you don’t keep your Pearl of Nurnberg in a bright location, it will go from squat to scrawny.

Succulents that are already etiolated cannot be shrunk back down. Instead, cut off the top and propagate by stem cutting. This will give you a second chance at growing Perle von Nurnberg correctly.

Pests

Mealybugs are the most likely pest to bother your echeveria. These small white scale insects drink the sap out of plants. They make cottony nests and secrete honeydew that attracts ants. Prevent mealybugs by keeping your succulent dry and spraying it with neem oil every week.

Infestations of mealybugs can be removed by insecticidal soap. Use it to gently wash the leaves. If there are only a small number of insects, dab them with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol at concentrations of 70% or lower.

Aphids are less common but potential predators of succulents. Like mealybugs, they suck out the juices. If left alone, they will eventually kill your plant. Protect your PVN by applying diatomaceous earth to the soil and neem oil to the succulent. Use insecticidal soap to control existing infestations.

Not just limited to vines, vine weevil is a flightless black beetle. It chews through leaves, causing them to turn yellow and wilt. Diatomaceous earth will prevent them.

Unfortunately, vine weevils are resistant to most sprays. The most effective remedy for infestations is to remove them manually. Since vine weevils are nocturnal, you’ll be able to find them easily at night.

Diseases

Root rot is the ever-looming danger for succulents. It’s caused by consistent moisture exposure and can lead to bacterial infections. Luckily, it’s easy to prevent: don’t overwater and use porous soil.

Since it’s best caught early, routinely check for rot on your Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’. Rotted sections will be brown or black and mushy. It usually starts in the roots and spreads up the stem. If you find an infected part, you’ll have to cut it off.

After removing the bad parts, leave your succulent out of the soil for a few days so it can dry out. Repot in new, dry soil.

If removing the rotted sections means you’ll be cutting off half the plant, it’s better to just propagate. Remove any healthy leaves or rosettes and discard the rotted remains. Remember to use new soil for propagating the cuttings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ is bound to stand out wherever it is planted. It’s also incredibly low-maintenance and a no-fuss addition to any succulent collection.