Graptopetalum superbum

beautiful graptopetalum
Clustering, flat-top purple-grey rosettes atop fat stems sport open arrays of tiny starfish-like flowers in early spring. Great in pots, even hanging.
height 6–12in
width 1–3ft
tolerates Drought, Pots
water
needs		 Low – Moderate
water
info		 This succulent likes to be fully saturated and then go totally dry before its next watering. Each leaf is a little water tank that stores water for the plant. If you see leaves shriveling, your plant is thirsty. If drought persists the plant will use up the water in its lowest leaves and shed them. This is natural and not a sign that the plant is unhealthy. If given a consistent watering schedule (where the plant is watered as soon as it is dry) this plant will retain the lower leaves while pushing new growth. Watering when the soil has residual moisture increases the risk of root rot.

Remember your watering schedule will depend on the size of the pot (smaller pots needing more frequent watering) and environmental factors such as the season, weather, humidity and exposure.

Don’t leave succulents in standing water, such as a saucer, for more than a day.
hardy
to		 24F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix
fertilizing All Purpose, Low Needs
origin Mexico
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 15–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

If the roots rot out this plant is easy to save. Cut the stem and prune back to healthy green tissue, then let the cutting sit for a week in a cool dry shady place. Next plant the cutting in a fast draining mix and return it to normal wet-to-dry watering. You can also propagate healthy plants in this way, and the bottom will send out new leaves from the base where it was pruned.
This plant is easily cultivated from single leafs. Just snap off a leaf and place it on consistently damp but not soggy potting soil. Once it’s rooted transfer it to cactus mix and begin a wet-to-dry watering schedule.

Special Interest

The genus graptopetalum originates from greek. Graptos meaning ‘written’ and petalon meaning ‘petal’. This refers to the unusual markings on flowers common to this genus.