Graptopetalum Succulents: How to Grow Graptopetalum

Graptopetalum (aka “leatherpetal”) is a genus of over a dozen succulent plants in the Crassulaceae family indigenous to Mexico and Arizona. Plants in this genus often grow in rosettes and bloom in star-shaped flowers ranging from white to pink.

Graptopetalum plants come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Here are some of the more popular species:

1. 1. Beautiful graptopetalum (Graptopetalum superbum): The superbum’s purple leaves grow in a large, flat circle, creating a broad, squat shape low to the ground.
2. 2. Five-stamen graptopetalum (Graptopetalum pentandrum): This succulent’s rosettes grow atop woody stems and turn from a blue-green to a yellowed gray color as they age.
3. 3. Ghost plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense): Sometimes called mother-of-pearl plant, the ghost plant gets its common name from its eerie, thick, grayish-white leaves. Ghost plants are prone to long stems, making them good candidates for a hanging basket.
4. 4. Lavender pebbles (Graptopetalum amethystinum): This variety gets its name from its fat, ovoid, rose- or gray-colored leaves, which resemble smooth pebbles.
5. 5. Graptopetalum filiferum: This green succulent has lush rounds of thick leaves spiraling inward to thin points at the display’s center.

Graptopetalum is a low-maintenance houseplant that’s easiest to propagate from leaf cuttings or by division. Many succulents grow as clumps, with small offspring called pups clustered around a central mother plant that you can remove for propagation. To transplant a pup, carefully remove it from the mother plant and insert it in a container filled with a mixture of peat, sand, topsoil, and compost, making sure to allow for ample drainage.

If you make your graptopetalum plant comfortable, it can flourish without much intervention on your part.

• Growing Season: Graptopetalum does most of its growth in fall and spring. If you plan to use fertilizer, apply it lightly in the early spring.
• Light: Graptopetalum, like other desert plants, loves light. Keep it in a location that gets full sun or partial shade.
• Temperature: Graptopetalum is relatively-cold hardy and can grow in USDA Hardiness Zones seven through eleven. It will do better in warmer temperatures, so consider bringing it inside during the winter.
• Watering: Be careful not to overwater your graptopetalum, which can lead to root rot. The soil should be completely dry before you water the plant again. In winter, when the plant is dormant, it requires even less water than usual.

Graptopetalum is easy to care for, provided you keep these tips in mind.

1. 1. A powdery look is okay. Don’t worry if your graptopetalum has a powdery appearance. That’s actually due to a wax that helps the plant retain moisture.
2. 2. Know your plant. Gardeners often confuse Graptopetalum species with other members of the Crassulaceae family, such as echeveria and sempervivum. You can distinguish graptopetalum from other succulents by their thick, rounded leaves and chalky appearance.
3. 3. Watch out for pests. Graptopetalum is generally disease-resistant but can be vulnerable to mealybugs, vine weevils, and aphids. For vine weevils, carefully apply an appropriate insecticide. Remove aphids by wiping your plant down with slightly soapy water. To treat for mealybugs, use a cotton ball to apply diluted isopropyl to affected areas.

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