GraptopetalumParaguayense_Ensemble02

Graptopetalum paraguayense

A succulent with porcelain color-shifting leaves and an unusual hardiness.

 

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Graptopetalum paraguayense
4,90 
Only 15 item(s) left in stock!

Graptopetalum paraguayense is a species of succulent plant with porcelain color-shifting leaves and an unusual hardiness.


The leaves are spectacular on this succulent – moving from light green to light grey, passing through apricot and pale rose colors.

    • In hot dry weather, the whitish-green leaves become pink-tinged
    • In partial shade, the whitish-green leaves will take on a blueish tint.Graptopetalum paraguayense

They can be up to 7 cm long and 3 cm wide.

The flowers are white, bearing red spots on the five petals, taking the form of a star.


👨‍🌾GARDENING TIPS👨‍🌾:

The plant has a spreading and creeping habit that reaches 20 cm high by 60 cm wide. The stems continue growing and eventually become pendulous and can look nice cascading over a pot or stones.

✂️ They can also be pruned to give them a bushier look.

💧Watering should be minimal as our Ghost is highly susceptible to root rot.

👻 To maintain the farina (read below), try the following tips:

    • Water at the base to avoid disturbing the wax (and the leaf).
    • Keep it dry—farina is hydrophobic and helps with water retention.
    • Avoid touching the leaves as farina is delicate and does not regenerate quickly.
    • Combine with different colored sedums and crassulas for a diverse succulent display.

The Tales & The Botany: Graptopetalum paraguayense

Ghost plant is bandied about to refer to many plants. A reflection of our fear or fascination with death – that “undiscover’d country from whose bourn no traveller has ever returned”.

We are not referring to either Monotropa uniflora or Diphylleia grayi.

Here we are talking about the Floury Ghost. Let me explain.

The residue on (your) Graptopetalum paraguayense is a natural powdery, waxy coating called farina.

    • It gives the plant a silvery, pastel, or dusty appearance.
    • AND it acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting the plant from harsh sunlight and reducing potential water loss in drought conditions.

🌸 Floral Morphology: Graptopetalum paraguayense

Graptopetalum species form tight or slightly spreading rosettes, with leaves that are thick, fleshy, and often pointed, ranging in color from green to blue-gray, and sometimes taking on pink or purple hues under sun stress. Flowers are typically star-shaped, appearing on erect or arching inflorescences, and range from white to pink, often with darker spots at the center. Flowers are small but numerous, forming clusters that attract pollinators such as bees and flies.


🌱 Reproductive Biology

These plants reproduce both sexually via seeds and vegetatively through offsets or leaf cuttings. Most species propagate readily through offsets, which form around the base of the rosettes, allowing them to spread and form dense mats over time. The flowers are hermaphroditic and insect-pollinated, though many cultivated hybrids rely primarily on vegetative propagation.


🌍 Ecology & Adaptations

Native to arid and semi-arid regions, Graptopetalum has several adaptations for survival in dry, rocky environments:

  • Succulent leaves store water to withstand prolonged drought.

  • Rosette growth form minimizes water loss and protects the plant’s growing tip.

  • Well-drained soils prevent root rot, which these plants are sensitive to.

  • Many species are cold-tolerant to mild frost, though extreme freezing can damage foliage.


Other Names:

Mother-of-pearl-plant

Ghost plant

Porcelain succulent – this is due to the fragility of the leaves. The rapidity with which they root and form their own colony makes it less heart-breaking however.


Origin:

Tamaulipas, Mexico

Weight 0,5 kg
Flowering

March, April

Soil

Dry, Poor, Well-Draining, Rocky/Well-Draining

Exposure

Full Sun, Half Sun/Half Shade

Frost Tolerance

-5°C to -10°C

Size

0.25m H x 0.8m W

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