How to Grow and Care for the Gustio Plant

The Gustio plant is a cultivar named Echeveria ‘Gusto’, a member of the large Echeveria genus. This variety stands out with its rosette formation of tightly packed, fleshy leaves. The leaves are a soft green, but with adequate sun exposure, the tips can develop a pink or reddish hue, adding to its visual appeal.

Gustio Care Guide

Light

To maintain its health and signature coloration, the Gustio plant requires at least five to six hours of bright, direct sunlight each day. Placing it in a south-facing window is ideal for indoor cultivation. Without enough light, the plant will not develop the vibrant red or pink tips on its leaves. When moving a plant into more direct sunlight, it should be done gradually to prevent sunburn on the leaves.

Soil

A well-draining soil mix is required to prevent root rot. A commercial cactus or succulent mix is suitable, or you can create your own by mixing standard potting soil with perlite or pumice to improve drainage and aeration. The container itself must have a drainage hole to allow excess water to escape freely.

Water

The “soak and dry” method is the recommended approach. This involves thoroughly watering the plant until water runs out the drainage hole, and then allowing the soil to dry out completely before the next watering. You can check the soil’s moisture by inserting a finger into it. Overwatering is a significant risk, so it is better to water less frequently than too often.

Temperature

Gustio plants prefer warm conditions and are not frost-tolerant. They do well in typical indoor household temperatures. If kept outdoors during warmer months, they must be brought inside when temperatures begin to drop before the first frost. Protecting them from cold drafts is also important.

Fertilizer

This succulent has low fertilizer requirements and does not need frequent feeding. During the active growing season in spring and summer, you can apply a diluted, low-nitrogen succulent fertilizer. A fertilizer with a low nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) content is sufficient. Fertilizing should be avoided during the dormant fall and winter months.

Propagating Gustio

New Gustio plants can be propagated through two main methods: leaf cuttings or by separating offsets. One common technique is using leaf cuttings. Gently twist a healthy leaf from the main stem, ensuring it comes off cleanly. The leaf must then be left in a dry area for several days to allow the cut end to form a callus.

Another method is to separate offsets, often called “pups,” that grow from the base of the mother plant. When an offset is large enough and has its own small root system, it can be carefully removed with a clean knife. Similar to a leaf cutting, the offset should be allowed to callous over for a few days.

Once calloused, place the leaf or offset on top of a well-draining succulent soil mix. Wait for new roots to develop before watering, which can take a few weeks. A light misting of the soil can encourage root growth. Once the new plantlet is firmly rooted, you can begin a normal watering schedule.

Common Problems and Solutions

One of the most frequent issues is rot, which presents as mushy, blackened leaves or stems. This is almost always a result of overwatering. If rot is detected, the affected parts should be removed immediately. If the main stem is affected, you may need to take a cutting from the healthy top portion of the plant and attempt to re-root it.

Stretching, or etiolation, is characterized by the plant growing elongated with large spaces between the leaves. This occurs when the plant is not receiving enough light. The solution is to move the plant to a location where it can receive more direct sunlight. While the stretched growth cannot be reversed, providing adequate light will ensure new growth is compact.

Pests can occasionally become an issue, with mealybugs being a common culprit for succulents. These small, white, cottony insects feed on the plant’s juices and hide in the crevices between leaves. For minor infestations, dabbing the pests with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol is an effective treatment. It is also good practice to remove any dead leaves from the bottom of the plant, as they can provide a hiding place for pests.