Am I Taking Good Care Of My Graptosedum?

Did you planted your Graptosedum in bright but indirect sunlight?

Did you planted your Graptosedum in well-drained soil?

Do you allow the soil to get completely dry before soaking it?

Do you feed your Graptosedum regularly during the growing season?

Do you prune your Graptosedum to encourage more compact growth?

Do you repot your plant when it gets rootbound?

Do you keep your Graptosedum free of pests and diseases?

Graptosedums love sunlight. They need 6 hours of full to partial sun a day. However, they can get sunburned. To avoid this, keep your succulent out of direct heat and let it adjust to new locations. Morning sunlight is ideal for Graptosedums because it’s bright but not too direct.

Well-draining soil is crucial for Graptosedum. If left sitting in water, the succulent will become mushy and rot. Choose a pre-made succulent soil or mix your own. The ratio of soil to perlite or sand should be at least 1:1.

As a typical succulent, the ‘soak and dry’ method is perfect for this desert plant. Water your Graptosedum consistently during the growing season and cut back in the winter. When watering, completely soak the soil. This will allow your Graptosedum to store what it needs for the next drought. Mimic this drought by letting the soil dry out completely before watering again. You might even leave the soil dry for a day or two.

Applying fertilizer during the growing season will give your Graptosedum a boost. You can do so at the beginning of spring and fall, or throughout the growing season. Apply fertilizer weekly at the most. Succulents prefer either balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Graptosedus are prone to etiolation. This is when the stems stretch out in search of sunlight. Pruning back a stretched stem will allow new rosettes to grow from the stump. This will help the plant grow more compact. Prune your Graptosedum with clean clippers. Cut the stem close to the soil and keep the area dry.

It’s normal for Graptosedum to hang over the edge of the container so the only way to know when is the time for repotting is by inspecting the roots. When the roots start showing through the potholes, it is a good time to repot. When repotting, use new, dry soil. Once the succulent is settled, don’t water it for about a week.

Good job! You are taking good care of your Graptosedum.

Mealybugs and aphids can occasionally pest Graptosedums. Both pests can be removed by spritzing the succulent with insecticidal soap. For a small number of mealybugs, just dab each insect with a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol. The most common affliction for Graptosedums – and most succulents – is rot. Prevent rot by keeping your Graptosedum dry. When watering, try not to splash any water on the plant itself.