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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 1 foot |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Graptopetalum paraguayense (Ghost Plant) - A colorful small succulent from Mexico with 3 to 6 inch wide rosettes holding thick triangular pointed flat leaves that range in color (even on the same plant) from pale blue, light pink, to light purple. The fleshy rosettes spread on stems creating a low spreading colony to only about 1 foot tall. In spring appear the 3/4 inch wide white flowers that have small red specks. Plant in full sun to light shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate infrequently to occasionally though does not like wet feet so good drainage is critical if watering regularly. It is a very hardy succulent and can rebound from being frozen and useful in areas that drop below 20 degrees F. A great and attractive plant for used as a groundcover, in hanging baskets, potted specimens or for spilling over walls. It is a bit brittle so avoid handling when possible and is not good in areas with much traffic. This plant, originally thought to be native to Paraguay was discovered on cactus plants imported to New York in 1904 and only later determined to be from Mexico, though no plants of the species have been rediscovered in the wild since. A closely related plant, now called Graptopetalum paraguayense ssp. bernalense was discovered by Alfred Lau in in 1979 the state of Tamaulipas in NE Mexico, so there is some presumption that this may be near to the origins of Graptopetalum paraguayense. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'grapho' meaning "to write" and 'petalum' meaning "a petal" in reference to the line markings on the petals of the flowers. The specific epithet comes from the mistaken belief that the plant's origin was Paraguay. Another common name is Mother-of-pearl-plant. We have grown this plant since 1991.
This information about Graptopetalum paraguayense displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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