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Mother of Pearl Graptopetalum paraguayense

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Sedum weinbergii
Phonetic Spelling
grap-toh-PET-al-um par-uh-gway-EN-say
Description

Ghost Plant is a succulent in the jade family that is native to Mexico, The fleshy leaves form a rosette 3-6 inches across at the tips of stems. The whitish-green leaves become pink-tinged in hot dry weather and blueish in partial shade. The plant will grow to 1 foot tall and 2-3 feet 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. In spring it forms clusters of small star-shaped flowers that are white with small red dots.

This plant will grow in full sun to partial shade. Well-drained soil is a must and once established is drought tolerant. Use this plant in rock gardens, containers, as a ground cover or on the patio. It is low maintenance and deer resistant. The plant can tolerate temperatures down to 15 degrees F. if given protection.

Ghost plant is easily propagated but rooting leaves, division or stem cuttings.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems but watch for aphids, mealybugs and vine weevil. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#succulent#spring flowers#cascading#rock garden#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio#sandy soil
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#succulent#spring flowers#cascading#rock garden#clumping#rocky soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#patio#sandy soil
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Graptopetalum
    Species:
    paraguayense
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Multi-stemmed
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    3/4 inch star-shaped flowers with 5 petals are white with some red flecks in clusters in early spring
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Pink
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Deltoid
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1-3 inches long and 1/2 to 1 inch wide, thick flat triangular to spathulate leaves with pointed tips. Whitish green leaves that become pink-tinged in full sun and blue-gray in part shade or indoors
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    Succulent round grey stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat