Scientific Name
Graptopetalum mendozae Glass & M.Cházaro Basáñez
Synonym(s)
Sedum mendozae
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Graptopetalum
Origin
Graptopetalum mendozae is native to Mexico (northern Veracruz). It grows on volcanic cones at elevations between 330 and 660 feet (100 and 200 m).
Description
Graptopetalum mendozae is an attractive succulent shrublet that forms small rosettes at the ends of erect, pendent, or decumbent stems. The rosettes can reach up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter. The stems are cream-colored to green-greyish, with conspicuous leaf scars, and can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 0.15 inches (0.4 cm) in diameter. The leaves are pale gray and become blush pink in the summer months. They are obovate, measuring up to 0.7 inches (1.8 cm) long and 0.45 inches (1.1 cm) wide.
The small flowers are white, star-shaped and appear in clusters of 4 to 10 on branched stalks that can grow up to 3.6 inches (9 cm) long in summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 8a to 10b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
When planting your Ghost Plant in a container, choose a well-drained potting mix and a container with drainage holes.
Try mixing Ghost Plant with other succulents for an interesting yet low-maintenance planting. Or you can incorporate your Ghost Plant into a rock garden. You can create a rock garden by piling large rocks like limestone as the base and filling in gaps with smaller stones, gravel, and soil pockets for planting.
Ghost Plant thrives in sunlight, so choose a location to receive full- or half-day sun. When grown as a houseplant, keep it near a sunny window.
Some prefer to keep their Ghost Plant trimmed to create a fuller shape. For a different look, you can allow it to get a little "leggy." This allows the twisting stems to climb out of the pot, cascading down gently. Be sure to let the soil almost completely dry between waterings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Graptopetalum.
Hybrids
Links
- Back to Genus Graptopetalum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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