If you are looking for another succulent plant that you can relate with Halloween monsters, look no further because here’s the Vampire Red Ball.

The plant is a new hybrid that originates from South Korea making it is very rare, expensive, and subject to stringent import requirements if purchased overseas. So if you happened to be lucky enough to own one and you want to propagate it, here are some tips on how you can successfully grow and maintain it.

Appearance

The Vampire Red Ball is from the Echeveria genus of succulents. So like all other plants of its kind, it comes in a rosette formation. However, what makes it stand out is its deep red color like it was drenched in blood, which is why it was called such.

Like other Echeverias the Vampire Red Ball is slow-growing. Its maximum spread and height will not exceed 12 inches.

The Vampire Red Ball can be an amazing addition to your rosette succulents. You can combine it with other Echeverias such as the Agavoides Lipstick, Neon Breaker, Violet Queen, Painted Lady, Harmsii Ruby Slipper, Tippy, Subsessilis, and Chroma. You can also plant it together with the other cacti or even your regular roses for added variety.

Ideal Environment

Winters in South Korea can go below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and summers can be as hot as 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, it is safe to say that the Vampire Red Ball is accustomed to temperatures within those marks.

For places with climates that go lower than 30 degrees Fahrenheit, we recommend placing the plant indoors. It should be positioned near a window or any part of the home that gets adequate sunlight during the day but not in direct sunlight during hot afternoons. We recommend using a grow light as well to ensure the survivability of the succulent indoor during cold conditions.

Propagation

Similar to other Echeverias, the Vampire Red Ball can be propagated from its seeds, offsets, or cuttings from its leaves. The ideal time to propagate it is during spring and summer when plants are more active in their cycle. If you are living in a tropical climate, you can plant it all year round.

From Seeds

Growing the succulent from seeds is pretty straightforward. Just sow the seeds in a clean pan filled with soil mixture. Spray the container lightly with water if you notice the soil getting dry. In around three weeks, you will likely notice germination.

Simply repeat the whole process, and in about six months after germination, it should be ready for transplant into permanent succulent pots.

From Offsets

Look for the offset or small clone of the parent plant. Carefully cut the lateral stem that connects the two in order to separate them. The cutting should be somewhere close to the parent plant.

Place the offset to a succulent pot filled with moist soil, and that’s it. All you have to do is water it when the soil dries up.

From Leaf Cutting

For us, this is the most convenient and effective way to propagate a succulent because you can cut several leaves at a time. After that, just let the cuttings dry or callus over for a day or two. You can use a rooting hormone to stimulate the growth of new roots from the node.

When it has already rooted, just stick the stem of the cuttings into a succulent pot with moist garden soil. Again, sprinkle some water only as needed or if the soil appears to have dried up.