As an Echeveria, my relationship with the sun is my most vital connection. It is the very source of my energy and the sculptor of my form. However, this relationship requires a perfect balance. Too much or too little can cause me great distress. Here is how I, the plant, communicate my needs regarding sunlight.
While I enjoy bright light and can develop beautiful stress colors, there is a dangerous line between a healthy glow and a harmful burn. When the sun's rays become too intense, I will show you clear signals. The most dramatic sign is sunburn. This appears as crispy, brown, or white scorched marks on my uppermost leaves. These patches are permanent scars and cannot heal. Before a full burn, you might notice my colors changing too rapidly to a washed-out, pale yellow or even a whitish color, which is different from the rich reds or purples of happy stress. This is a sign of bleaching. Additionally, if my soil dries out impossibly fast and my leaves feel hot to the touch all day, I am likely baking in excessive heat and light, causing overall stress and stunting my growth.
This is perhaps my most common plea for help. Without sufficient sunlight, I cannot perform photosynthesis effectively. My most obvious and desperate response is called etiolation. I will begin to stretch out unnaturally, with my stem elongating rapidly as I desperately reach for any available light source. My rosette, which is meant to be compact and tight, will become loose and open up. The spaces between my leaves will widen significantly, making me look leggy and unbalanced. Furthermore, my vibrant colors will fade. I will lose my stress hues and even my natural green can become pale and washed out. My new leaves will grow in thinner and weaker than my older, sun-strengthened leaves. I am essentially becoming frail and vulnerable.
My ideal location provides abundant, bright, and indirect light for most of the day. A south-facing window is often perfect for me indoors. I can tolerate and even appreciate several hours of direct morning sun, which is gentler. The intense, harsh afternoon sun, however, is often too strong and risks scorching my leaves. If you move me to a sunnier spot, please do it gradually. Acclimate me over a week or two by increasing my exposure by an hour or so each day. This allows my internal systems to adjust and produce protective pigments. Observe me closely during this time. A slight reddening of the leaf tips or margins is a good sign of healthy sun stress. If I start to bleach or brown, pull me back to a slightly shadier location.
