Graptoveria Care Guide

Graptoveria belongs to the succulent class of plants. It’s the result of a hybrid cross of the Echeveria and Graptopetalum succulents. It’s known for the unique color of its leaves, becoming more vibrant when stressed.

Graptoveria Characteristics

• Scientific Name and Common Names:Graptoveria, Fred Ives, Fanfare, and Debbie
• Origin:Hybridization of Echeveria and Graptopetalum
• Indoor or Outdoor Plant:Common as an indoor houseplant. May also grow in its native outdoor environment
• Height and Structure:Around 6 inches tall and up to 6 inches across. Rosettes can form up to 8 inches in width.
• Temperature:Ideally a minimum of 50 degrees F and a maximum of 90 degrees F.
• Flower Color:Orange, Pink, and Red Tones

How To Plant a Graptoveria

Graptoveria grows well in relatively well-lit areas, and it doesn’t need a ton of water. As a succulent, it’s a pretty hardy creature. It doesn’t tolerate frost well, though. You should place them in a porous soil that drains well. That way, they won’t develop any rot from overwatering.

Planting Time

Try to plant them before the first frost of the season. That way, their roots will have plenty of time to settle in. Generally, they’re meant to be planted between the months of April and June.

Spacing

Leave at least 6 inches of space between each plant. That provides each of them with enough room to spread their roots. Otherwise, you might have them competing with each other for resources.

Light

Graptoveria needs full sunlight for at least 8 hours a day. If they get less than that, they won’t grow well. So, plant them somewhere without any shade. At the peak of summer, some gardeners cover their Graptoveria plants with a shade cloth. This helps to prevent burning of their leaves.

Soil

Graptoveria prefers to live in soil that doesn’t have a ton of water. Plant them in something that drains well, and it should be a porous soil. Without enough sunlight, they may begin to lean sideways. This phenomenon is known as etiolation. Use a succulent soil mix with added pertolite. A 70:30 ratio tends to produce the best results.

How To Grow a Graptoveria

Growth habits

Graptoveria plants tend to grow until they’re between 6 and 8 inches tall. Their rosettes can take on many different shades of color, such as red, pink, and orange. Graptoveria shows these different colors depending on its environment. They grow the best in hot, dry climates.

Watering

As a succulent, Graptoveria plants don’t need a ton of water. Usually, during the summer, you can water them once a week. During the winter, you can water them once a month. Only water the roots of the plant. Splashing water onto their leaves could lead to rot.

Trimming and Pruning

Because they grow slowly, you won’t have to do a lot of trimming. However, if you’d like to propagate them, you can trim one of their leaves. Cuttings and offsets tend to grow well once they’ve been planted.

Propagating

The easiest way to propagate a Graptoveria plant is to remove one of its leaves. When removing the leaf, be careful to remove all of it. Let the torn leave callous for about 2 days. Then, plant it in a separate location, at least 6 inches away from the parent plant.

Pot And Repotting

Graptoveria plants prefer living in pots that have a drainage hole at the bottom. This prevents excess water from accumulating. Because they’re slow growers, you can repot them once every couple of years.

Plant Species

Moonglow would be the most famous member of the Graptoveria species. You can recognize them instantly, thanks to their distinctive diamond-shaped leaves.

Companions

Graptoveria grows well with other members of the succulent family. Try planting them next to a Echeveria plant or a Graptopetalum.

Toxicity

Graptoveria hasn’t been shown to be toxic for humans. They’re also harmless to most house pets, such as dogs and cats.