Hello, dedicated caretaker. I am your Echeveria, and I am trying to communicate with you. When my leaves turn yellow or become unpleasantly soft, it is a clear sign that I am in distress. My very structure is built for storing water and thriving in bright, arid conditions, so any deviation from this is a problem. Let me explain the potential issues from my perspective.
This is the most common reason for my suffering. My leaves are plump because they are water reservoirs. When you provide too much water, or my soil does not dry out quickly enough, my roots begin to suffocate and rot in the stagnant, oxygen-poor environment. Once the root system is compromised, it can no longer transport water and nutrients to the rest of my body. Paradoxically, the leaves, my main storage organs, begin to turn yellow, become translucent, and feel extremely soft and mushy. They may eventually drop off or the stem may turn black and rot. This is a critical situation for me.
While I am drought-tolerant, I am not immortal. If you forget to water me for an excessively long time, I will have to consume all the water stored within my leaves. When this happens, they will begin to wrinkle, feel very soft and limp, and may eventually turn yellow or brown as the tissue dies from dehydration. The key difference is that an underwatered leaf will feel dry, papery, and thin, not wet and mushy like an overwatered one. The lower, older leaves are typically the first to be sacrificed to preserve the growing center.
My compact, colorful rosette form is a direct result of basking in strong, direct sunlight. If I am placed in a spot that is too dim, I will begin to etiolate—stretching out with elongated stems and widely spaced leaves in a desperate search for light. This weakens my overall structure. The leaves that are shaded or not receiving enough energy from the sun may turn a pale green or yellow and can become softer because they are not developing their full, robust structure. I need several hours of direct sun daily to stay compact and healthy.
If you have recently repotted me, I am focusing my energy on re-establishing my root system in the new environment. During this time, it is not uncommon for me to reabsorb one or two of my oldest, lower leaves to provide energy for new root growth. These leaves will typically yellow from the tip back, dry out, and become crispy before falling off. This is a natural process, but if many leaves are affected or they become soft and mushy, it could indicate that the new soil is retaining too much moisture or that my roots were damaged during the move.
Sometimes, my distress is caused by tiny invaders. Mealybugs, for instance, are small pests that suck the sap directly from my leaves and stem. This feeding damages my tissues and robs me of vital nutrients and water. The affected area may become discolored (yellow or pale), feel soft, and show signs of stunted growth. You might also see a cotton-like substance they leave behind. This constant attack weakens me significantly and opens the door for further disease.
