Graptopetalum amethystinum
| Light | Bright light to full sun; strong light brings out the lavender colour |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; soak then let the mix dry fully, near-dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; roughly USDA zones 10a–11 |
| Propagation | Leaf and stem cuttings; offsets |
| Toxicity | Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Graptopetalum amethystinum is a slow-growing, rosette-forming succulent from western Mexico, prized for its plump, rounded leaves in soft pearlescent lavender-pink and blue-grey tones. The smooth, egg-shaped leaves cluster into thick rosettes and look uncannily like a heap of polished stones, which has earned the plant the common names lavender pebbles and jewel leaf plant. It belongs to the genus Graptopetalum in the stonecrop family, and is popular both as a windowsill plant and in mild-climate rock gardens.
Description
Graptopetalum amethystinum forms compact rosettes of thick, blunt, almost spherical leaves. Each leaf is smooth and swollen with stored water, coloured a chalky lavender to amethyst-pink that shifts toward blue-grey in cooler light and blushes deeper pink under strong sun. A fine waxy bloom coats the surface, giving the leaves their frosted, pebble-like sheen — handle them gently, as the bloom rubs off and does not grow back.
With age the rosettes sit atop short, gradually lengthening stems, so mature plants often sprawl or trail rather than staying tightly domed. In spring the plant sends up slender branched stalks bearing small star-shaped flowers, typically pale yellow marked with red, in the pattern characteristic of the genus.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to western Mexico, where it grows on rocky cliffs and steep slopes in the Sierra Madre Occidental, in the states of Jalisco, Durango, Sinaloa and Zacatecas, at elevations of around 1,900 m. In habitat it roots into thin, gritty soil among rocks, enjoying sharp drainage, plenty of light and the natural protection of a well-drained, elevated position. This rocky, exposed origin is a good guide to its needs in cultivation.
Cultivation
Graptopetalum amethystinum is an easygoing succulent provided it is not kept too wet. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a pot with good drainage, and give it the brightest light you can — bright light is what keeps the rosettes tight and brings out the lavender-pink colouring. In too little light the plant stretches (etiolates), the rosettes open up and the colours fade toward plain green.
Water thoroughly, then wait until the mix has dried out before watering again; the swollen leaves mean the plant tolerates drought far better than standing moisture. Cut back sharply in winter, keeping the plant cool and nearly dry. It is not frost-hardy, so grow it under cover or bring it indoors where winters dip below freezing. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
The species is easy to propagate. Whole leaves detached cleanly from the stem will often callus and sprout a new plantlet at the base — a natural consequence of how readily the plump leaves drop and root. Stem cuttings and beheaded rosettes root well too: let the cut surface dry for a day or two, then set it on or just into a gritty mix and keep it barely moist until roots form. Clustering plants also produce offsets that can be separated. See Propagation — leaf cuttings, Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — offsets for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the most common cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a mix that holds too much moisture; leaves and stems turn soft and translucent.
- Etiolation — too little light stretches the stem and opens the rosette, with the leaves spacing out and losing their lavender tones.
- Lost bloom — the frosted waxy coating is easily rubbed off by handling; the marks are cosmetic and the leaf is unharmed, but the sheen does not return.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked between the leaves) and the occasional aphid on flower stalks are the usual visitors. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Graptopetalum — the genus overview
- ×Graptoveria — hybrids of Graptopetalum with Echeveria
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — leaf cuttings · Propagation — cuttings