---
title: "Hi! I got this plant and I’m very new to all sorts of plant/succulent…"
description: "Hi! I got this plant and I’m very new to all sorts of plant/succulent care. According to the app, it’s a Mexican Snowball (I thought it was a hen and chick…are…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/EYRLDKhdGzNffaBCgVQXkx"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "MiKayla"
published: "2025-03-25T16:18:56.541263Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gZsQHCDm9Jjwjsj3044C7sbM301-kGUrBvYW9S64wlM/H8c2OGwKTvCAh2biTuv16w.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi! I got this plant and I’m very new to all sorts of plant/succulent…

_Posted by MiKayla on 2025-03-25_

Hi! I got this plant and I’m very new to all sorts of plant/succulent care. According to the app, it’s a Mexican Snowball (I thought it was a hen and chick…are those synonymous?). Couple super quick questions…

1\. Is it okay that the top is leaning to one side? I thought it was because it was growing towards the sun, but rotation hasn’t corrected the shape. I have a small skewer as you can see to give it some support, but I also don’t want to cause damage to the plant over time having it leaning.

2\. Should I expect it to continue to grow new branches? There are two you can see in the picture. One is a little more mature and is starting to really flourish and the other is just a little baby bud. I think I’m starting to notice other buds beginning where leaves previously were (the open circles on the stem).

3\. What is the film on the leaves and is it important to the care of the plant? I noticed there are some spots that are shiny rather than the dusty white look and I’m not sure if that is good, bad, or doesn’t matter.

Thank you for all your help! I appreciate all the advice, I’m still learning!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gZsQHCDm9Jjwjsj3044C7sbM301-kGUrBvYW9S64wlM/H8c2OGwKTvCAh2biTuv16w.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Megan commented on 2025-03-25

1\) I have succulents that are leaning as well. It’s okay. I believe that you’re right that it’s due to the sun, but because its main support/stem has grown that way, I don’t think rotation will correct it. It hasn’t in mine either.

2\) It is very common for a new head/flower/branch to grow where a leaf has fallen off. Some of the other areas may grow new buds as well, filling the plants stem out. A lot of people do this on purpose and then use the removed leaves to propagate new plants.

3\) I honestly don’t know what the film is exactly, but I have some plants that have this as well. When you touch the coating, it creates a shiny spot, because I think the coating has then been removed. I don’t know if it comes back over time but I don’t think that it’s a huge deal care wise, I just try to avoid touching the leaves. I think it mostly doesn’t matter because it hasn’t affected any of my plants in the slightest.

#### c.cat replied on 2025-03-25

the white stuff is basically just the succulant's sunscreen! it helps protect the plant from burning in hot sun. i am forgetting what it is called, but it is also hydrophobic and allows water to flow off the leaves easier, preventing rot!

#### Megan replied on 2025-03-25

Oh that’s awesome, and makes so much sense. Thank you!

#### c.cat replied on 2025-03-25

no prob! i also found it's called farina, or epicuticular wax :)

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