Graptopetalum Filiferum- Succulent

Plant Description

Graptopetalum filiferum, a member of Stonecrops (Family Crassulaceae) is an extremely interesting little succulent plant with a rosette of thick fleshy leaves resembling a large Sempervivum. Each leaf is tipped with a fine red filament.

Habit: Perennial, stemless, succulent herb forming flat rosettes, slowly clustering, and forming large mats with time.

Leaves: Each leaf is glabrous, fleshy, spatulate to triangular, slender, arching, about three times as long as broad, light green, rather greyish, and characteristically pointed with wispy brownish-red bristles at the tips, and can vary in shape. Leaves turn pinkish yellow in hot, dry conditions and blue-grey when pampered with partial shade and regular water.

Plant Care

Sunlight

• Keep the plant in place with bright indirect sunlight for better growth of the plant.

Soil

• The soil should be well drained and fertile rich in organic content.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Water when top soil (1-2 inches) feels dry to touch.
• Water thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.

Application of Fertilizer

• During the main growing season feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month.
• Loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily.

Re-potting

• When a plant outgrows in current pot, re-pot with fresh potting soil and some fertilizer.
• Do the re-potting late evening and keep the plant in shady area for 2 to 3 days and then move the plant in its suitable climatic condition.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and dispose them away from the planting area.
• Spray Neem, Eucalyptus or Citrus oil for any insect/pest attack, as a primary treatment.

Don’ts

• Easily grows in AC rooms but away from AC vents.
• Do not over-water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.

Special Feature

Attractive foliage.

Uses