25 Best Terrarium Plants for Beginners - Gardeners' World
25 best terrarium plants · Fittonia (nerve plant) · Asparagus fern, Asparagus setaceus · Moss · Peperomia · Polka dot plant (Hypoestes Phyllostachya).
Echeveria elegans
Mexican snowball is one of many echeverias you can grow in an open terrarium. Perfect for pairing with other succulents and cacti, <anchor>Echeveria elegans</anchor> has pale, green-blue foliage and will gradually spread to produce a small colony of rosettes. If happy it will send out attractive yellow flowers on long stems (you can trim these off if you'd prefer to focus your display on the foliage). Grow in free-draining substrate near a window where it can receive plenty of light. Water sparingly. For a particularly lovely display, seek out Echeveria ‘Blue Frills’.
Echeveria elegans | BBC Gardeners World Magazine
Echeveria elegans \| BBC Gardeners World Magazine

[Toggle main-navigation popup](#main-navigation-popup)

[![Gardeners World Logo](https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/10/2022/05/Gardeners-World-Logo-Horizontal-Black-6e80d39.png?quality=90&resize=120,10)](https://www.gardenersworld.com)

- [Subscribe](/subscribe/ "Subscribe")
- [Newsletter sign up](/newsletters/ "Newsletter sign up")
- [2-for-1 Gardens](/2-for-1-gardens/ "2-for-1 Gardens")
- [Buy Magazine](/news/buy-bbc-gardeners-world-magazine/ "Buy Magazine")

[Toggle search popup](#search-popup)

[![Gardeners World Logo](https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/10/2022/05/Gardeners-World-Logo-Horizontal-Black-6e80d39.png?quality=90&resize=379,31)](https://www.gardenersworld.com)

From the team at BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

- [What to do now](/what-to-do-now-september/ "What to do now")
- [Plants](/plants/ "Plants")


- Back toMain menu
- [Plant finder](/search?q=plants&tab=plants "Plant finder")
- [Trees & shrubs](/plants/native-trees-and-shrubs-to-grow/ "Trees & shrubs")
- [Perennials](/plant-profiles/perennial-plants/ "Perennials")
- [Fruit, veg & herbs](/plants/low-maintenance-veg-and-fruit/ "Fruit, veg & herbs")
- [Climbers](/plant-profiles/climbers/ "Climbers")
- [Bulbs](/plant-profiles/bulbs/ "Bulbs")
- [Seed sowing](/grow-guides/seed-sowing/ "Seed sowing")
- [Allotments](/grow-guides/allotment-growing/ "Allotments")
- [Houseplants](/grow-guides/grow-house-plants/ "Houseplants")


- Back toPlants
- [House plant flies](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-tackle-house-plant-flies/ "House plant flies")
- [Grow Orchids](/plants/how-to-care-for-orchids/ "Grow Orchids")
- [Cat friendly house plants](/how-to/grow-plants/plants-cat-friendly-houseplants/ "Cat friendly house plants")
- [Browse all house plants](/grow-guides/grow-house-plants/ "Browse all house plants")

- [Flowers](/plants/different-types-of-flowers-to-grow/ "Flowers")


- Back toPlants
- [Salvia](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-salvia/ "Salvia")
- [Honeysuckle](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-honeysuckle/ "Honeysuckle")
- [Tulips](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-tulips/ "Tulips")
- [Browse all flower guides](/grow-guides/grow-flowers/ "Browse all flower guides")

- [Vegetables](/grow-guides/grow-vegetables/ "Vegetables")


- Back toPlants
- [Grow Garlic](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-garlic/ "Grow Garlic")
- [Grow Ginger](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-ginger/ "Grow Ginger")
- [Ripen Tomatoes](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-ripen-late-tomatoes/ "Ripen Tomatoes")
- [Browse all veg guides](/grow-guides/grow-vegetables/ "Browse all veg guides")

- [Fruits](/grow-guides/grow-fruits/ "Fruits")


- Back toPlants
- [Store Apples](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-store-apples/ "Store Apples")
- [Prune Raspberries](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-strawberries/ "Prune Raspberries")
- [Grow Figs](http://how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-figs/ "Grow Figs")
- [Browse all fruit plants](/plant-profiles/grow-fruits/ "Browse all fruit plants")

- [Advice](/garden-advice/ "Advice")


- Back toMain menu
- [Gardening guides](/garden-advice/ "Gardening guides")


- Back toAdvice
- [Beginner guides](/garden-advice/beginner-gardening/ "Beginner guides")
- [How to prune](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-prune-your-plants/ "How to prune")
- [Mulch guide](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/mulches-and-mulching/ "Mulch guide")
- [Composting](/plants/four-ways-to-better-compost/ "Composting")
- [Lawn mowing](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/12-lawn-mowing-tips/ "Lawn mowing")
- [Propagate](/grow-guides/propagating/ "Propagate")
- [Browse all gardening guides](/garden-advice/beginner-gardening/ "Browse all gardening guides")

- [Seasonal guides](/garden-advice/autumn-guides/ "Seasonal guides")


- Back toAdvice
- [Autumn Borders](/plants/give-borders-an-autumn-boost/ "Autumn Borders")
- [Autumn flowers](/plants/best-autumn-flowers/ "Autumn flowers")
- [Autumn lawn care](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/autumn-lawn-care-best-feeds/ "Autumn lawn care")
- [Autumn pruning](/plants/plants-to-prune-in-autumn/ "Autumn pruning")
- [Take Lavender cuttings](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-lavender-cuttings/ "Take Lavender cuttings")
- [Take rose cuttings](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-take-rose-cuttings/ "Take rose cuttings")
- [Browse all spring guides](/garden-advice/spring-guides/ "Browse all spring guides")

- [Solve problems](/garden-advice/solve-problems/ "Solve problems")


- Back toAdvice
- [Remove snails](/how-to/solve-problems/snails/ "Remove snails")
- [Control Aphids](/how-to/solve-problems/aphids/ "Control Aphids")
- [Tomato Blight](/how-to/solve-problems/tomato-blight/ "Tomato Blight")
- [Common problems](/how-to/grow-plants/gardening-for-beginners-problem-solving/ "Common problems")

- [Maintenance](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/ "Maintenance")


- Back toAdvice
- [Trim conifers](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-trim-a-conifer-hedge/ "Trim conifers")
- [Leaf mould](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-make-leaf-mould/ "Leaf mould")
- [Lawn weeds](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-remove-lawn-weeds/ "Lawn weeds")
- [Browse all maintenance](/how-to/maintain-the-garden "Browse all maintenance")

- [Design your garden](/garden-advice/design/ "Design your garden")


- Back toAdvice
- [Year round colour](/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-plan-for-year-round-colour/ "Year round colour")
- [Garden wall ideas](/plants/planting-ideas-for-garden-walls/ "Garden wall ideas")
- [Front garden design](/plants/designing-a-front-garden/ "Front garden design")
- [Greenhouse](/plants/essential-greenhouse-guide/ "Greenhouse")
- [Lawns](/garden-advice/lawns/ "Lawns")
- [Wildlife pond](/how-to/diy/how-to-make-a-wildlife-pond/ "Wildlife pond")
- [Browse garden design](/garden-advice/design/ "Browse garden design")

- [Wildlife](/wildlife/ "Wildlife")


- Back toAdvice
- [Hedgehog house](/how-to/diy/how-to-make-a-hedgehog-house/ "Hedgehog house")
- [Plants for wildlife](/plants/wildlife-friendly-plants/ "Plants for wildlife")
- [Identifying wildlife](/wildlife/identifying-wildlife/ "Identifying wildlife")
- [Feeding wildlife](/wildlife/feeding-wildlife/ "Feeding wildlife")
- [Garden jobs for wildlife](/wildlife/garden-jobs-for-wildlife/ "Garden jobs for wildlife")
- [All wildlife guides](/wildlife/ "All wildlife guides")

- [Lawn care](/garden-advice/lawns/ "Lawn care")


- Back toAdvice
- [Top dressing lawn](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/top-dressing-lawn/ "Top dressing lawn")
- [Lawns in small garden](/plants/lawns-in-small-gardens/ "Lawns in small garden")
- [Lawn mowing tips](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/12-lawn-mowing-tips/ "Lawn mowing tips")
- [Lawn spring boost](/how-to/maintain-the-garden/how-to-give-your-lawn-a-spring-boost/ "Lawn spring boost")
- [Lawn care tips](/plants/top-lawn-care-tips/ "Lawn care tips")

- [Reviews](/reviews/ "Reviews")


- Back toMain menu
- [Tools](/reviews/tools/ "Tools")
- [Lawn care](/reviews/lawn-care/ "Lawn care")
- [Gardening kit](/reviews/gardening-kit/ "Gardening kit")
- [Product guides](/product-guides/ "Product guides")
- [Best buys](/tag/best-buy/ "Best buys")
- [Browse all reviews](/reviews/ "Browse all reviews")

- [Offers](/garden-offers/ "Offers")


- Back toMain menu
- [Garden offers](/garden-offers/latest-deals/ "Garden offers")


- Back toOffers
- [Travel & events](/garden-offers/travel-and-events/ "Travel & events")
- [Gardening webinars](/grow-how/ "Gardening webinars")
- [Subscriber discounts](/garden-offers/subscriber-club-discount/ "Subscriber discounts")
- [Browse all garden offers](/garden-offers/gardening-offers/page/ "Browse all garden offers")

- [2-for-1 Gardens](https://www.gardenersworld.com/2-for-1-gardens/ "2-for-1 Gardens")

- [Win](/win-2/ "Win")
- [Premium](https://www.gardenersworld.com/premium/september/ "Premium")
- [Subscribe](/subscribe/ "Subscribe")
- [Newsletter sign up](/newsletters/ "Newsletter sign up")
- [2-for-1 Gardens](/2-for-1-gardens/ "2-for-1 Gardens")
- [Buy Magazine](/news/buy-bbc-gardeners-world-magazine/ "Buy Magazine")

Search

No result

- [Home](https://www.gardenersworld.com:443)
- [Plants](https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/)
- Echeveria elegans

![](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/08/5f1f2e6b-028b-40f8-a04d-8a0bf41df839-0bbae2b.jpg?quality=90&resize=556,371)

Save

# _Echeveria_ _elegans_

Mexican snowballCactus or succulent, House plant, Evergreen**Family:** Crassulaceae

- **Height:** 50cm**Spread:** 50cm

- **Half hardy**


Flower colour:

Pink

Foliage colour:

Silver

- [Share on facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/echeveria-elegans/)
- [Share on twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Echeveria%20elegans%0A%0A&url=https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/echeveria-elegans/)
- [Share on pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/echeveria-elegans/&media=https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2018/08/5f1f2e6b-028b-40f8-a04d-8a0bf41df839-0bbae2b.jpg&description=Echeveria%20elegans)
- [Share on whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=%22Echeveria%20elegans%22%20https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/echeveria-elegans/)
- [Share on blogger](https://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g?u=https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/echeveria-elegans/&n=Echeveria%20elegans)
- [Email to a friend](mailto:?subject=Oh look...&body=Saw this and thought of you...%0A%0Ahttps://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/echeveria-elegans/)

Advertisement

### Position

Sun exposure:

Full sun

Aspect:

South facing, west facing

### Soil

Succeeds on poor soil:

Well Drained / Light / Sandy

Mexican snowball, _Echeveria elegans,_ is a clump-forming perennial bearing rosettes of fleshy, succulent, silver-blue leaves. Its yellow-tipped, pink flowers dangle from the top of long stalks in summer. It makes a good bedding plant, especially in areas of drought. It's also suitable for summer container displays and as a houseplant.

Grow _Echeveria elegans_ in well-drained soil in full sun. In cooler regions protect from frost or move containers indoors in autumn.

Advertisement

### Plant calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecPlant_yes__yes_Flowers_yes__yes__yes_Divide_yes__yes__yes__yes_

### _Echeveria_ and wildlife

_Echeveria_ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.

### Is _Echeveria_ poisonous?

_Echeveria_ has no toxic effects reported.

**No reported toxicity to:**

Is not known to attract Birds

Birds

Is not known to attract Cats

Cats

Is not known to attract Dogs

Dogs

Is not known to attract Horses

Horses

Is not known to attract Livestock

Livestock

Is not known to attract People

People

###### Plants that go well with _Echeveria_ _elegans_

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

[![Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' World Magazine](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2024/08/Brandsite-autumn-ecb1804.jpg?quality=90&resize=2048,1365)](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/bbc-gardeners-world-magazine-subscription?promo=GWBS924&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=gardenersworld.com&utm_campaign=autumn-2024-gift-card_gwbs924&utm_content=sidebar-widget&style=brand)

[**Subscription offer**](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/bbc-gardeners-world-magazine-subscription?promo=GWBS924&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=gardenersworld.com&utm_campaign=autumn-2024-gift-card_gwbs924&utm_content=sidebar-widget&style=brand)

Subscribe today and get a £10 M&S e-gift card plus save 40% on the shop price.

[Subscribe now](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/bbc-gardeners-world-magazine-subscription?promo=GWBS924&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=gardenersworld.com&utm_campaign=autumn-2024-gift-card_gwbs924&utm_content=sidebar-widget&style=brand)

[![The Thrifty Gardener](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2024/08/thrifty-gardener-1200-800-ab28f75.jpg?quality=90&resize=1200,800)](https://bit.ly/3XcGcNE)

This special edition is packed with tips and advice to help create a beautiful garden on a budget.

[Buy yours now](https://bit.ly/3XcGcNE)

[![](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2024/07/Save-on-the-perfect-seasonal-day-out-3c71305.png?quality=90&resize=270,270)](https://www.gardenersworld.com/garden-offers/travel-and-events/bbc-gardeners-world-autumn-fair/?src=gwcom-masthead-gwaf24)

[**Book in advance to save**](https://www.gardenersworld.com/garden-offers/travel-and-events/bbc-gardeners-world-autumn-fair/?src=gwcom-masthead-gwaf24)

Book tickets for a great seasonal gardeners’ day out at the stunning Audley End House & Gardens

[Book now](https://www.gardenersworld.com/garden-offers/travel-and-events/bbc-gardeners-world-autumn-fair/?src=gwcom-masthead-gwaf24)

Advertisement

[![Subscribe to BBC Gardeners' world magazine](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2024/08/GW1920X360SEPT24-f094c00.jpg?quality=90&resize=1920,360)](https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/bbc-gardeners-world-magazine-subscription?promo=GWBS924&utm_medium=brandsite&utm_source=gardenersworld.com&utm_campaign=autumn-2024-gift-card_gwbs924&utm_content=footer-widget&style=brand)

[![Gardeners World logo](https://media.immediate.co.uk/volatile/sites/10/2022/05/Gardeners-World-Logo-Stacked-White-352eda6.png?quality=90&resize=212,66)](https://www.gardenersworld.com)

- [Visit us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GWmagazine)
- [Visit us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/gwmag)
- [Visit us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/gardenersworldmag/)
- [Visit us on Pinterest](http://uk.pinterest.com/gwmag)
- [Visit us on Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8kRP4T6HbZnsheHCuIB_FQ)
- [Visit us on Rss](/feed/atom/)

- [About us](/about-us/ "About us")
- [Contact us](/contact-us/ "Contact us")
- [Privacy policy](https://www.immediate.co.uk/privacy/ "Privacy policy")
- [Cookie policy](https://www.immediate.co.uk/cookies/ "Cookie policy")
- [Terms & conditions](http://www.immediate.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/ "Terms & conditions")
- [Advertise](/contact-us/ "Advertise")
- [Complaints](http://www.immediate.co.uk/complaints-escalation/ "Complaints")
- [FAQs](/faqs/ "FAQs")
- [Contact BBC Studios](https://www.bbcstudios.com/contact/contact-us/ "Contact BBC Studios")
- Manage Privacy Settings

[![null Logo](https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/10/2024/03/ImmediateLogoRGBWhite-382037d.png?quality=90&resize=3873,767)](https://www.immediate.co.uk)

This website is published by Immediate Media Company Limited under licence from BBC Studios Distribution.© Immediate Media Company Ltd. 2024

- [BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair](https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/autumn-fair/?utm_source=gwcom&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=gwaf24 "BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair")

- [Plant profiles](/plant-profiles/ "Plant profiles")
- [Alpine plants](/plant-profiles/alpine-plants/ "Alpine plants")
- [Annual plants](/plant-profiles/annual-plants/ "Annual plants")
- [Biennial plants](/plant-profiles/biennial-plants/ "Biennial plants")
- [Bog plants](/plant-profiles/bog-plants/ "Bog plants")
- [Bulbs](/plant-profiles/bulbs/ "Bulbs")
- [Climbers](/plant-profiles/climbers/ "Climbers")
- [Deciduous plants](/plant-profiles/deciduous-plants/ "Deciduous plants")
- [Evergreen plants](/plant-profiles/evergreens-plants/ "Evergreen plants")
- [Fruits](/plant-profiles/fruits/ "Fruits")
- [Herbs](/plant-profiles/herbs/ "Herbs")
- [House plants](/plant-profiles/house-plants/ "House plants")
- [Marginal plants](/plant-profiles/marginal-plants/ "Marginal plants")
- [Perennial plants](/plant-profiles/perennial-plants/ "Perennial plants")
- [Semi-evergreen plants](/plant-profiles/semi-evergreen-plants/ "Semi-evergreen plants")
- [Shrubs](/plant-profiles/shrubs-plants/ "Shrubs")
- [Trees](/plant-profiles/trees/ "Trees")
- [Weeds](/plant-profiles/weeds/ "Weeds")