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Photo illustration: Topsy-turvy vs Perle von Nurnberg for Echeveria varieties
Topsy-turvy Echeveria stands out with its unique, upward-curving leaves that create a striking, rosette shape, while Perle von Nurnberg offers a softer look with its lavender-pink hues and smoother leaf texture. Both varieties thrive in well-draining soil and bright, indirect sunlight, making them perfect for succulent enthusiasts seeking low-maintenance beauty. Explore the rest of the article to discover care tips and detailed differences between these captivating Echeveria types.
Table of Comparison
| Feature | Topsy-turvy (Echeveria runyonii) | Perle von Nurnberg (Echeveria hybrid) |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Shape | Curved, pointed leaves with upturned tips | Rounded, smooth leaves with slight taper |
| Leaf Color | Blue-green with pinkish edges | Purple-pink with silvery sheen |
| Size | Up to 8 inches (20 cm) diameter | Up to 8 inches (20 cm) diameter |
| Growth Habit | Compact rosette, slow growing | Compact rosette, moderate growth |
| Sunlight Requirement | Full sun to partial shade | Bright indirect light to full sun |
| Watering | Allow soil to dry between watering | Moderate watering, avoid overwatering |
| Hardiness USDA Zones | 9-11 | 9-11 |
| Flower | Orange-red flowers on tall stalks | Pink star-shaped flowers |
| Use | Ornamental, container gardening | Ornamental, indoor and outdoor display |
Introduction to Echeveria Varieties
Echeveria varieties such as Topsy-Turvy and Perle von Nurnberg showcase diverse leaf shapes and coloration that appeal to succulent enthusiasts. Topsy-Turvy features upward-curved, powdery blue-green leaves with a unique twisted form, while Perle von Nurnberg exhibits rosettes with pink-tinged lavender leaves and a smooth, powdery surface. Both varieties thrive in well-draining soil and bright light, making them popular choices for ornamental succulent collections.
Overview: Topsy-turvy vs Perle von Nurnberg
Topsy-turvy Echeveria features thick, paddle-shaped leaves with a wavy, curled appearance and a striking bluish-green hue, making it ideal for drought-tolerant succulent collections. Perle von Nurnberg offers rosettes of compact, pointed leaves with a delicate gradient of pink, purple, and gray tones, prized for its vibrant coloration and ease of propagation. Both varieties thrive in well-draining soil and bright, indirect sunlight, but Topsy-turvy stands out for its sculptural leaf form while Perle von Nurnberg is favored for its colorful elegance.
Distinctive Leaf Shapes and Structures
Topsy-turvy Echeveria displays thick, fleshy leaves that curl backward in a striking, twisted form, creating a compact rosette with a unique, puckered appearance. Perle von Nurnberg features more elongated, pointed leaves with a smooth, pastel purple to pink hue, forming a symmetrical rosette with a soft, powdery texture. These distinct leaf shapes and textures make Topsy-turvy ideal for dramatic, sculptural displays, while Perle von Nurnberg offers elegance through its delicate coloration and refined foliage structure.
Color Variations and Seasonal Changes
Topsy-turvy Echeveria features striking powdery blue-green leaves with pointed, twisted tips, exhibiting subtle pinkish hues during the summer and more intense blue tones in cooler months. Perle von Nurnberg showcases rosettes with variegated colors, blending soft lavender, pink, and grayish-green that deepen to richer purples under bright light and colder temperatures. Seasonal changes intensify both varieties' coloration, with Topsy-turvy adopting a more pastel palette in warmth while Perle von Nurnberg reveals vibrant, jewel-like purples in fall and winter.
Growth Habits and Mature Size
Topsy-turvy Echeveria exhibits a sprawling growth habit with thick, fleshy leaves that curve upwards, typically reaching a mature size of about 6 inches in diameter. Perle von Nurnberg, contrastingly, has a more compact rosette formation with smooth, pearlescent leaves, growing up to 8 inches wide at maturity. Both varieties thrive in well-draining soil, but Perle von Nurnberg generally achieves a larger and denser rosette compared to the more open and twisted structure of Topsy-turvy.
Sunlight and Lighting Requirements
Topsy-turvy and Perle von Nurnberg are popular Echeveria varieties with distinct sunlight and lighting needs. Topsy-turvy thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, requiring about 4-6 hours of filtered light daily to maintain its unique blue-green, curved leaves. Perle von Nurnberg prefers more direct sunlight, needing at least 6 hours of full sun to enhance its pink-purple hues and compact rosette shape.
Watering Needs and Soil Preferences
Topsy-turvy Echeveria requires well-draining, sandy soil and minimal watering, thriving best when allowed to dry out completely between waterings. Perle von Nurnberg prefers similar well-draining soil but can tolerate slightly more frequent watering, provided the soil does not retain excess moisture. Both varieties benefit from cactus or succulent-specific soil mixes to prevent root rot and maintain optimal hydration levels.
Flowering Patterns and Bloom Time
Topsy-turvy Echeveria exhibits vibrant red and yellow flowers that bloom primarily in mid to late spring, showing a compact rosette that supports the colorful inflorescences. Perle von Nurnberg features pale pink to coral blooms appearing from late spring to early summer, enhancing its lavender-tinged leaves with delicate floral displays. The distinct flowering periods and color contrasts of these varieties make them valuable for extending visual interest and bloom succession within succulent collections.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Topsy-turvy Echeveria exhibits moderate resistance to common pests like mealybugs and aphids, but it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Perle von Nurnberg offers stronger resistance against fungal infections and powdery mildew, making it more resilient in humid conditions. Both varieties benefit from well-draining soil and careful monitoring to minimize pest and disease outbreaks.
Suitability for Indoor and Outdoor Gardening
Topsy-turvy Echeveria exhibits thick, upward-pointing blue-green leaves, making it highly suited for indoor environments due to its compact size and tolerance for indirect light, while also thriving outdoors in well-draining soil with partial sun exposure. Perle von Nurnberg, distinguished by its rosettes with powdery pink-purple leaves edged in gray, performs exceptionally well indoors under bright, indirect light and can adapt to outdoor conditions with adequate sunlight and protection from frost. Both varieties require minimal watering and well-ventilated settings, but Topsy-turvy is preferred for smaller indoor spaces, whereas Perle von Nurnberg offers versatility for indoor decoration and outdoor succulent gardens.
Important Terms
Leaf Morphology
Topsy-turvy Echeveria features thick, upright, spoon-shaped leaves with a powdery coating, while Perle von Nurnberg displays rosettes of slender, pointed leaves with a smooth, glossy surface and pinkish-purple hues.
Rosette Formation
Topsy-turvy Echeveria exhibits compact, tightly curled rosette formation with upward-turned leaves, whereas Perle von Nurnberg features broad, symmetrical rosettes with smooth, flat leaves and a distinctive pinkish hue.
Epicuticular Wax
Topsy-turvy Echeveria exhibits a dense epicuticular wax layer enhancing drought resistance and a frosty appearance, while Perle von Nurnberg features a thinner epicuticular wax that accentuates its vibrant coloration but offers less surface protection.
Apical Offset
Echeveria Topsy-turvy produces more robust apical offsets compared to Perle von Nurnberg, making it preferable for propagation through apical offset division.
Color Variegation
Topsy-turvy Echeveria features bold, inverted leaf shapes with subtle green and gray variegation, while Perle von Nurnberg boasts striking pastel pink and purple hues with pronounced color variegation and a powdery coating.
Hybrid Lineage
Topsy-turvy Echeveria is a hybrid derived from Echeveria runyonii, while Perle von Nurnberg originates from a cross between Echeveria desmetiana and Echeveria runyonii, showcasing distinct hybrid lineages within Echeveria varieties.
Stem Etiolation
Echeveria Topsy-turvy exhibits moderate stem etiolation under low light conditions compared to Perle von Nurnberg, which generally shows more compact growth with less stem elongation.
Growth Habit
Topsy-turvy Echeveria features tightly rosetted, upright leaves with a compact growth habit, while Perle von Nurnberg displays a looser rosette formation with trailing stems and a more sprawling growth habit.
Pruinosity
Echeveria Topsy-turvy exhibits a higher pruinosity with dense, chalky epicuticular wax compared to the Perle von Nurnberg, which displays a smoother, less powdery surface.
Bloom Cycle
Topsy-turvy Echeveria typically blooms in late spring with vibrant red and green rosettes, while Perle von Nurnberg Echeveria blooms from mid-summer to early fall featuring delicate pink flowers.