Graptoveria: How to Grow and Care for Graptoveria Succulents

Graptoveria is an intriguing succulent that many hobbyists consider their favorite. With its bright color rosettes, it’s an excellent choice for your collection.
Graptoveris succulents feature olive-green leaves with small “star” tips in a wide variety of color choices. From peach-pink or oranges and yellows to blue-green, a Graptoveria succulent is relatively easy to maintain indoor or outdoor.

The most critical care factors to remember are:

1. They need to be placed in full sunlight to achieve that vibrant appearance. If it’s too hot during the day, move them for some time in the shade is to prevent burning.
2. Graptoveria plants are evergreens, so they can’t stay in frost or frigid temperatures. You have to reacclimate them indoors gradually, over seven to ten days, before it becomes too cold. They don’t react well to extreme temperature changes.
3. Water these succulents generously but not too often. Dry periods help them to grow and to continue enjoying oxygen.

From terrariums around your home to interior windowsills, you will love to exhibit your Graptoveria plants!

About Graptoveria

Graptoveria plants are a combination of the Graptopetalum and Echeveria plants. The hybrid nature explains their extensive hues and the waxy leaf appearance that shows throughout each variety.
These succulents can often grow to 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Some varieties will reach 10 inches when they achieve full bloom potential. Even its offsets have the potential to grow and flourish around. It’s not rare to see how those small rosettes complete the visual effect.

Both the Graptoveria and the Echeveria originate from Central America and South America. Even though they share a connection, one trait, in particular, separates them. The Graptopetalum has thicker leaves than the Echeveria succulent.

Summary

Graptoveria plants, hybrid Graptopetalum and Echeveria succulents, feature extensive hues and waxy leaves. Originating from Central and South America, they grow 3-10 inches in diameter, with Graptopetalum having thicker leaves.

Graptoveria Varieties

The Graptoveria has numerous varieties with their names, so here are some of its most popular ones:

• Graptoveria Debbie – has perfect rosettes and purple leaves in a close formation. The Debbie features a pink frosted hue that increases in intensity with more sunlight or in cool temperatures. It features an apricot tint star shape for the rosettes that blooms in spring (one of the prettiest variations of the Graptoveria!)
• Graptoveria Fred Ives – has rosettes open in clumps or bunches. With its changing colors (from sources of light or its climate), you will enjoy how it fills out settings. The different hues are bronze, blue, yellow, light salmon or pink, or yellow-orange stars when blooming in the summer. The offsets show up fast for more areas of growth. The Fred Yves enhances pots, containers, or outside gardens, with or without accessories (stone, chips, etc.)
• Graptoveria Moonglow – is possibly the most recognizable type of these succulent plants. It can grow to the full 10 inches, and its colors are blue-green with pink highlights. It transforms into shades of oranges from winter to spring. The Moonglow is also a go-to choice for beginners because it requires less maintenance than other types, with fast forming offsets.
• Graptoveria Opalina – its leaves have a frosted blue-green tint which forms with wider space in between. The tones transition to pink when the Opalina is in the sun, then yellow in the spring. It also tends to have fast growths and easy maintenance.
• Graptoveria Bashful – its flowers appear so close to the soil that it seems “shy.” For this reason, it earns the name “Bashful”; leaves grow up, featuring mint green rosettes and a touch of pinkish-red accent hues that appear to be glowing for you.
  Other Graptoveria varieties are:

• X Graptoveria
• Graptoveria Olivia
• Fanfare
• Graptoveria Amethorum

How to Grow a Graptoveria

Choose a space with as much sunlight as possible. Place them apart from drafts if indoors to protect them from the frost. The Graptoveria has to be in well-draining soil, or it won’t stay healthy. So you can mix your own (see step-by-step instructions below) or purchase pre-mixed soil from the store. Remember to plant the seeds in dry soil when it’s warm, or they might not fully germinate. Even if they can sprout without consistent warmth, it can take up to several weeks. Plan to watch for the flowers in late spring or early summer, and it’s not unusual for them to each vary in hue tint.

How to Propagate the Graptoveria

It’s easy to propagate Graptoveria because you can use seeds, cuttings, leaves, or offsets.

Propagate by Cuttings

For a clean-cut, try to get close to the main plant so that you can remove the cutting with a sharp knife or scissors. Be sure to sterilize it. Have your container or tray ready with paper so you can put the cutting on top of it (because no soil is necessary yet), then wait for it to form its barrier in a few days, so it callouses off.

Now you can place the cutting on succulent or soil (only a thin layer) to give the roots time to grow, which may be up to a few weeks, and then you can begin watering. However, the soil must be arid to be effective. When you plant your roots in a pot or a container, form a pile positioning the roots up, so they can use the pot for leverage. Make sure you press them securely as you apply the layer of grit.
Note: it’s necessary to wait until the next day to water it again. Position the pot in a bright area away from the full or direct sunlight.

Summary

Sterilize a sharp knife, remove a clean-cut, and let it callous. Place on thin soil layer for root growth. Water only when soil is arid. Position in a bright area without direct sunlight.

Leaves

Graptoveria leaves can propagate if they’re healthy, so as you pull the leaf, use your thumb and forefinger to hold it in place. Gently pull the whole leaf close to the stem, then put it on paper in a clean location out of the way.
Similar to the cuttings, the leaves will need to callous off before you attempt to put them on succulent or soil. Again, ensure the soil is completely dry before watering. It may be several weeks for you to see roots, so be patient!
Offsets follow the same process to propagate as the leaves, and the convenient part is that even fallen rosettes or leaves can grow.

Summary

Gently remove healthy leaves and let them callous. Place on soil, ensuring it’s completely dry before watering. Be patient for root growth. Offsets propagate similarly to leaves.

Caring for Your Graptoveria

Watering

Beginners love Graptoveria because all its beautiful varieties require little maintenance to flourish. Experts appreciate them because it balances with plants needing more routine maintenance.
It’s unnecessary to water them that frequently, so be sure their soil is dry when you water. Graptoveria succulents won’t appreciate any dampness or humidity.

Graptoveria can go for stretches, relying on their high retention rate to survive on the water that stays in roots to hydrate appropriately. When watering, it’s essential to use a watering can, not spray bottles, to thoroughly saturate its roots. Using a watering can also prevent water from remaining on the leaves, which can cause rotting, infection, disease, or pests.

These plants must have sufficient time for their roots to dry in between watering. They need it to reach their full bloom and maintain oxygen. For this reason, it’s critical to test the soil’s dryness by pressing slightly with your fingers (¼ to ½ inch). If it feels dry, thoroughly water it.
Spotting the signs of insufficient or too much water is easy. You’ll notice that your Graptoveria is not growing, mushy or frail, and its color loses its vibrancy.

Summary

Water only when soil is dry. High water retention helps survival. Use watering cans for thorough root saturation, avoiding dampness and rot. Monitor growth and color for signs of over/under-watering.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing your Graptoveria plant is simple with a ready-to-use fertilizer. However, be sure to use succulent or cactus fertilizer, preferably with a 25% dilution. This will be useful to promote optimal health. Plan to fertilize in the summer; it’s only necessary once a year.

Pruning

It’s time to prune your Graprovoria if you’re noticing any unhealthy leaf signs or you see any damaged leaves. As always, use a sterile knife or scissors, carefully pruning to improve its appearance and restore its health.

Soil

The Graptoveria requires well-draining soil. They also prefer to stay in their containers, so it’s best to go with peat, grit, or sand that features a combination of minerals, either with or without compost.
If you are a DIY planter, great news, you can prepare your soil in your home, so here’s the recipe!

• 2/3 minerals, grit, sand, perlite, etc.
• 1/3 organic matter (use peat-free compost)

Soil comes in ready-to-use, pre-mixed forms too. So, if you opt to purchase it over preparing it yourself, shop for either cacti or the succulent soil from your favorite store.
Repotting is only necessary if the Graptoveria outgrows its container. Usually, you’ll need to repot only every 2 to 3 years. If you replant, use fresh soil after flowering, trimming where necessary, then allow it to dry thoroughly.

Summary

Graptoveria needs well-draining soil, preferring peat, grit, or sand mixtures. DIY soil recipe: 2/3 minerals, 1/3 organic matter. Repot every 2-3 years with fresh soil.

Light

Graptoveria is versatile, and it can survive in full or partial sunlight. However, if you want yours to look its brightest, place it where it can absorb a lot of sunlight.
The position is vital for encouraging its color. The ideal place for your plant is where it can enjoy the morning sun from an east window, switching to the shade in the afternoon.

Temperature

It’s possible to hurt Graptoveria if you’re not careful, so if the climate in your area is hot, put your plant in the shade to protect it. Never leave Graptoveria in frost, or freezing, or rapidly dropping temperatures, and if you’re in those climates, you can use light systems indoors (shoot for a hardiness zone of 9 to 11).

Potential Concerns

As you have seen in the previous sections, the Graptoveria can sustain its maintenance without frequent watering. If the soil stays damp too long, you will see root rot set in. Rotting also happens if you overwater it.

Carefully lift the Graptoveria from the container to clean off the soil and remove soft or mushy roots. Finally, replant it using a new pot when it’s dry, watering it even less frequently.

Insects

Graptoveria succulents are also susceptible to insects or pests, so you should watch for these.

• Mealybugs – these insects are small, feeding on the plant’s sap. Try washing the leaves to solve the problem. Use soapy water or a mild insecticide, and if that’s not effective, wash the pot. Finally, replace your plant after applying alcohol to the succulents.
• Aphids – these pests move slow but breed fast. You can eliminate them if you use the same techniques (washing or mild insecticide, then repot).

Toxicity

Graptoveria isn’t toxic or poisonous to animals or humans. However, its leaves are fragile and can come off very easily. Keep an eye on it if you don’t want your pets or children to damage it by bumping on it or even eat it!

Graptoveria Fun Facts

Graptoveria resembles the Graptosedum and Echeveria succulents. They increase your home’s natural oxygen by cleaning the air and effectively restore moisture to your home.
We love Graptoveria because it keeps its colorful, vivid hues even when it’s stressed. Ultimately, this succulent has the reputation of attracting hummingbirds in spring and summer.

Takeaways

Every variety of the Graptoveria has something to offer. Being low maintenance, it is the stress-free perfect versatile fit for many situations.
Feel free to comment below if you have any questions. Don’t hesitate to share tips on how you care for your Graptoveria, and we want to hear which variety you chose.
Share this article via social media with everyone who gardens, from beginners to experts, to spread the news about the lovely Graptoveria!

Where to Buy Graptoveria

You can buy Graptoveria from Mountain Crest Gardens

FAQs

Does Graptoveria need sunlight?
Graptoveria plants require sunlight to thrive. They are a type of succulent that requires plenty of bright, direct sunlight to grow and maintain their vibrant colors.

What’s the difference between Echeveria and Graptoveria?
Echeveria and Graptoveria are both members of the Crassulaceae family and are popular succulent plants that are often confused with each other due to their similar appearance. However, there are some differences between the two:
– Hybridization: Graptoveria is a hybrid of two different genera – Graptopetalum and Echeveria. Echeveria, on the other hand, is a genus of its own.
– Leaf Shape: While both plants have rosettes of fleshy leaves, the leaves of Echeveria are typically thicker and more pointed, while Graptoveria’s leaves are more rounded and plump.
– Flowering: Echeveria has bell-shaped flowers that grow on tall, thin stalks, while Graptoveria has star-shaped flowers that grow on shorter, thicker stems.
– Care: Graptoveria is generally easier to care for than Echeveria. Graptoveria can tolerate more sun and drought, while Echeveria needs more water and can be more sensitive to sunburn and overwatering.

Are Graptoveria poisonous to dogs?
Graptoveria plants are generally considered to be non-toxic to dogs, although ingesting any plant material can cause digestive upset in dogs. The fleshy leaves of Graptoveria contain a mildly irritating sap, which can cause some mild symptoms such as drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested by dogs. However, these symptoms are usually self-limiting and do not require any specific treatment.