via: Pexels / Dimitry Anikin
This post about the ghost plant, or Graptopetalum paraguayense, is precisely what you need if you're looking for a succulent that's dazzling to the eye.
We've talked about how to plant succulents and how to care for succulents before. It's time to dive into more details.
This information about the ghost plant can help you grow your garden like an expert and creatively decorate your garden. Let's start.
Contents
What is a Ghost plant?
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A ghost plant, also known as a Monotropa Uniflora, is a unique species of succulents that grows in a rosette form, mimicking a beautiful rose. This succulent is native to Tamaulipas, Mexico, despite their botanical name, Graptopetalum paraguayense, which makes people think they come from Paraguay.
Also commonly known as Mother of Pearl and Sedum Weinbergii, the ghost plant has fleshy and smooth leaves with pointy ends. If you're lucky, these plants produce bright yellow flowers that are shaped like stars.
If you're already familiar with other succulents, you'll know that the ghost plant resembles Echeveria Affinis the most. The only differences between the two are their colors and the thickness of the leaves. Also, the ghost plant grows from the root, which sets it apart from succulents of its kind.
Interestingly, ghost plants absorb nutrients by attaching themselves to a host mycorrhizal fungus. The fungi are then dependent on the host tree. So, fungi on ghost plants are typical, but on other succulents like cactus and sempervivum? Maybe not so much.
Why is Knowing How To Grow And Care For Ghost plant Important?
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Knowing how to grow and care for ghost plants is important for a few reasons. Firstly, learning how to care for any vegetation before you begin to grow them will help you take better care of them, so you get the most out of them.
Secondly, the ghost plant is a beautiful and rare succulent that should be handled with care, so knowing how to grow it will help you decide if you'd like to keep one for yourself and continue growing one of your own.
Lastly, something extraordinary about this is the way it changes colors depending on where it grows. The ghost plant is the chameleon of all succulents. When it's grown under partial shade, the plants will blossom into a shade of blue and gray. When grown in partial sun, Ghost Plants produce a marvelous gray-pink color. And, with full sunlight, their color can change from a pinkish-gray to hazy yellow.
How To Grow Ghost plant (Graptopetalum Paraguayense)
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Like almost all succulents, the ghost plant is a relatively easy plant to grow. It's low maintenance and creates the perfect addition to any space. With its many different colors, you'll need to pick a spot to grow this greenery to achieve the color you'd like it to have. Read on to find out how to grow this unique plant.
Step #1. Identify which type of succulent
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With all types of succulents, you'll first need to identify which ones you're growing. There are specific planting methods for outdoor succulents that make them grow best. Like what type of weather is ideal and the best places to grow them.
Indoor succulents often need more care because they're deprived of sunlight. Knowing which type you have is essential for their overall condition. As for the ghost plant, it can be grown outdoors, as well as indoors. For the best care, grow it outdoors during the summer and spring, and, depending on how cold the winter gets, bring it indoors to prevent frost.
The lowest temperature they can survive in is 20°F/-6°C. So, if it gets this cold in your location, be sure to grow them indoors over the winter in pots or containers.
Pro Tip
Ghost plants love sunlight and grow their best under sunny conditions. If grown under bright light, you'll be able to see them grow into a pinkish-gray with yellow undertones. No, they're not your usual white flowers. The more sunlight, the more colorful they become. If you have a rock garden or succulent garden outdoors, maybe planting this plant's seed or stem cuttings there is the right place.
If you plan on growing them indoors, make sure to keep them close to a window with lots of sunlight. If the leaves start to fall off or change to a complete gray, this is a sure sign that it needs more sunlight.
Step #2. Know How To Water
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Knowing how to water succulents like the Graptopetalum paraguayense is extremely important. Unlike regular plants, most succulents will die if you overwater them. Moisture isn't their friend. It reminds you of cacti and a pearl plant.
Their roots will rot if the porous soil is too wet, so be sure to water them accordingly. If kept outdoors in the summer and spring, water them every 7 to 10 days. If you aren't sure when they need to be watered, check if the top half of the well-draining soil is dry. If it's dry, it's time for watering.
If kept outdoors in the winter, only water once a month or until the top half of the soil is dry. When kept indoors, try to keep them in a warm room with plenty of sunlight. Depending on the room temperature, you may need to water them once every week, or, to be safe, wait for the top of the soil to dry out.
It's important to mention that ghost plants may need a little fertilizer to help them grow a flower in the early spring and have more nutrients. This will allow them to grow healthier and brighter during their growing season. Try not to over-fertilize your ghost flower. The leaves can start to burn. Only fertilize when they are increasing in the spring and summertime.
Step #3. Know How To Propagate Ghost plant
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Learning how to propagate succulents like the ghost plant is the same technique as almost any other like its own. It's as simple as cutting the stem or leaf off of a healthy, lively ghost plant.
Once you've cut the stem or leaf off, allow it a day or two to dry. After it's dried, place it in some potting mix inside a container that has adequate drainage. Water the plants every couple of days for about two weeks. This will give it time to start rooting. Once you notice the roots growing inside the soil, begin to water it less frequently like you would with your regular adult ghost plant.
What's impressive is even if a fresh leaf falls off from the foliage onto adjacent soil, you've got yourself a new little ghost plant. Healthy fleshy leaves that fall off your ghost plant can quickly grow into a new one, much like leaf cuttings. As long as you do some repotting and watering, they'll thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We've put together a small list of frequently asked questions to answer any other questions you may have about ghost plants.
Is the ghost plant edible?
You can eat the ghost plant if you feel like trying something new. You can eat it raw, which doesn't have much taste, or you can cook it. When cooked, it tastes similar to asparagus. Saute with a bit of butter, and you've got yourself a tasty succulent.
Why is my ghost plant dying?
As stated above, the most common reason your ghost plant could be dying is from not even sunlight. Ghost plants need lots of sunlight to stay healthy. It could also be that you're overwatering it or you've left in a temperature that's too cold for it.
Is ghost plant toxic for cats and dogs?
The ASPCA has stated that the ghost plant is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so no need to worry if your pet eats them.
Keep your ghost plant on a windowsill or in a hanging pot to prevent your pets from ruining them. If grown outdoors, put a fence around your garden to keep your cats and dogs from trampling all over it.
More Awesome Succulents
Liven up your garden with even more succulents. Learn how to care for other plants besides the ghost plant with our easy-to-follow and straightforward guides.
- Senecio Serpens is a magnificent succulent to grow with its stunning blue chalky color and stick-like stance.
- Rose succulents are becoming more and more popular with their uncanny resemblance to real roses. They grow in the perfect shape of a rose and are usually green in color, but you can even find some pretty in pink.
- Sedum rubrotinctum, or the jelly bean plant, is a lively little succulent with bright colors and thick leaves that resemble jelly beans.
In Conclusion
The ghost plant, or Graptopetalum Paraguayense, is a beautiful, unique-looking succulent that's easy to grow and will make your garden spectacular. With its changing colors and rosette form, this plant is a lovely little display that's pleasing to the eye.
That's why knowing how to care for succulents like this one is so important. Having unique plants around your home or garden makes you enjoy your surroundings that much more.
When you know how to plant succulents, you give yourself the ability to turn your living space into something miraculous and heavenly.
