Graptopetalum paraguayense – The Ghost Plant

Graptopetalum paraguayense.

Ghost Plant. Mother of Pearl Plant

Crassulaceae

Mexico

1 Gallon

3-5”

12-18”

25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C

High heat tolerance

Part shade inland to full sun along the coast.

Drought tolerant

Remove spent flower bracts as desired

This plant is excellent in containers, requiring only infrequent watering. It also makes an interesting ground cover and accent plant in cactus, succulent and xeriscape gardens. It should be located in a somewhat protected area as the succulent leaves are easily broken off and form new plants.

This plant can be propagated from rooted leaves and stems. It can also be sown from seed.

Requires good drainage, especially in cool winter weather.

Graptopetalum paraguayense forms five-inch wide leaf rosettes of a beautiful silver-lavender color. Individual leaves are thick and succulent with open flat surfaces. The rosette stems slowly elongate and grow along the ground. In late winter to early spring, 1- to 2-foot tall, open branched inflorescences appear. The inflorescences cover Graptopetalum paraguayense in a hazy silver cloud when in bloom. The many branches hold pretty star-shaped flowers that have pale yellow petals with red stripes on the tips, and red sigma lobes and 5 stamens (other graptopetalum species have 10 stamens). The flowers inspire the name for both the genus and species: the Genus comes the Greek words 'graptos' meaning "marked" or "inscribed" and 'petalon' meaning "petals" for the markings on the flower petals of many of the species. Graptopetalum paraguayense is easy to grow in sun or light shade and will slowly spread to create a colony.