Finally, place the soil at the top. You want to make sure that the soil is dry before watering. What are the best practices for watering Echeveria plants? Echeveria plants are best watered at the beginning of the day so that any water that gets on their leaves during the day can evaporate quickly. Be aware that Echeveria can be killed if it is overwatered. In addition to plants, you may also consider adding desert-oriented objects like rocks and sand. You can mix the items together to make your own Cactus Potting Soil. String of Pearls requires a well-draining soil.