Echeveria 'Bess Bates' – Golden Girl Cultivar of Black Prince

Echeveria 'Bess Bates' – Golden Girl Cultivar of Black Prince

Echeveria 'Bess Bates', commonly referred to as the 'Golden Girl', is a beautifully variegated cultivar of *Echeveria 'Black Prince'*. Highly prized among collectors, this hybrid is celebrated for its glowing golden foliage edged with deep crimson, and its slow offsetting nature—producing just one or two pups when fully mature. The plant forms compact rosettes up to 12 cm across, and during summer, it sends up short flower spikes bearing delicate orange blooms.

Distinctive Features

• Golden variegation: Leaves transition from lime green to golden yellow depending on light levels, giving the plant a luminous quality.
• Reddish margins and tips: Leaf edges deepen into burgundy shades, especially when exposed to strong light or temperature shifts.
• Seasonal flowering: Produces short inflorescences in summer with small, vivid orange flowers.

Care Tips

• Light: Full sun to partial shade; place indoors only in bright locations to maintain form and colour.
• Water: Water thoroughly when dry, allowing soil to dry between waterings; less frequent in winter.
• Humidity: Low humidity preferred; avoid excess moisture around the crown.
• Media: Use gritty, well-draining succulent mix; avoid dense soils that retain moisture.
• Temperature: Ideal range is 18–26°C; protect from frost and cold snaps below 5°C.
• Fertiliser: Use a quarter-strength cactus feed monthly during spring and summer; avoid high nitrogen to preserve colour intensity.
• Repotting: Repot in warm months only when outgrowing its pot; tolerates being slightly pot-bound.

Additional Notes

• This cultivar is slow to offset, enhancing its value among collectors and enthusiasts.
• Excellent for outdoor rockeries, sunny patios, or bright indoor displays with adequate airflow.
• Non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a worry-free option for pet households.

Echeveria 'Bess Bates' is a dazzling, compact cultivar that embodies the best traits of its parentage, particularly the allure of *Black Prince*. Its vivid colours, restrained growth, and seasonal flowers make it an outstanding choice for collectors and succulent lovers seeking elegance in miniature form.