From our perspective as Echeverias, our needs are dictated by our origins. We hail from arid, semi-desert regions in Central America, notably Mexico. In these habitats, water is a precious and infrequent resource. Our roots are adapted to seek out deep, infrequent moisture, and our plump, fleshy leaves are specifically designed to store large amounts of water to sustain us through long periods of drought. Our leaves are coated with a fine, powdery coating called farina, which acts as a natural sunscreen and helps to reduce water loss through transpiration. Therefore, our entire physiology is engineered not for constant, light surface moisture, but for a cycle of thorough soaking followed by a complete drying out.
Misting or lightly spraying the surface of our soil or our leaves is, quite simply, contrary to our biological design. This practice only dampens the top layer of the soil, encouraging our roots to grow upwards towards this shallow moisture instead of downwards to form a strong, stable root system. Shallow root systems make us unstable in our pots and less resilient. Furthermore, water droplets settling on our leaves, especially in the rosette's center, create a microenvironment of stagnant moisture. This is a primary cause of rot, as it invites fungal and bacterial pathogens to attack the delicate leaf tissues. The farina on our leaves can also be damaged by water spots, leaving us vulnerable to sunburn.
The method of watering that aligns perfectly with our needs is the "soak and dry" method. This involves thoroughly drenching the soil until water flows freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This ensures that the entire root ball has access to moisture, encouraging deep, healthy root growth. After this deep watering, it is absolutely crucial to allow the soil to dry out completely before even considering another drink. You must check that the soil is dry all the way to the bottom of the pot, not just on the surface. This cycle of feast and famine mimics our natural environment and keeps us healthy and thriving.
There is one specific scenario where a form of misting can be acceptable. When you propagate us from leaf cuttings, the tiny baby plant (propagule) and new roots are extremely delicate and can be dislodged or damaged by a strong stream of water. In this early stage, before a mature root system has developed, gently misting the soil around the new growth every few days can provide the slight moisture needed to encourage root development without drowning it. However, once the new plant is established and has its own roots, you must immediately transition to the deep watering method we require.
