How To Care For Graptosedum Alpenglow Succulent (The Pink Suculent) Plant

graptosedum alpenglow - pink succulent

Graptosedum alpenglow succulent, also known as Graptosedum Vera Higgins or Graptosedum bronze, is an attractive perennial plant that has numerous uses, such as an ornamental plant in landscaping, as well as a houseplant, and even can be used in cooking.

This member of the Portulacaceae family is fairly easy to grow and only needs a few conditions to flourish including partial shade, moderate water, and plenty of air circulation.

Graptosedum alpenglow succulent is an attractive groundcover succulent that thrives in shade and even in locations with occasional water, making it a perfect plant to grow in shady areas of your garden or patio where you need extra coverage but don’t want to spend much time or money on maintenance.

Its carefree growing habits make it an excellent choice for beginners who want to create lush landscaping but aren’t yet sure how to take care of plants.

Origin and distributions

Found in areas with acidic, well-drained soils. Graptosedum alpenglow succulent is best grown in rock gardens and similar sites, where they appreciate good drainage.

Graptosedum ‘Vera Higgins’ can be planted in full sun to partial shade locations and is best planted in locations where it will receive dappled sunlight throughout most of the day, such as under deciduous trees.

The alpenglow succulent prefers soil that is slightly acidic and rich in organic matter. This plant does not tolerate wet or soggy soil, so make sure that it is planted in a location where water drains quickly away from its roots.

This plant requires regular watering during periods of hot weather and should be watered deeply but infrequently when compared to other plants; water only when the top inch or two of soil becomes dry.

Graptosedum alpenglow propagation

graptosedum alpenglow - pink succulent

Graptosedum alpenglow succulent is best propagated by division or leaf cuttings. The division is easiest but takes a lot of time and patience. Leaf cuttings are faster but also require careful handling because they can dry out quickly.

With either propagation method, it’s best to let them callus over in a well-drained medium that contains plenty of organic material such as peat moss or coconut husk fiber. It may take several weeks for roots to form before you can transplant your new plant into a container filled with potting soil.

If you’re planning on growing your graptosedum alpenglow succulent indoors, keep in mind that most gardeners find these plants grow best when placed outdoors during the summer months and brought inside once temperatures drop below 50 degrees F at night.

If you live in an area where winters get particularly cold, consider planting your graptosedum outside during springtime so it has enough time to mature before winter sets in.

Graptosedum alpenglow care information

graptosedum alpenglow - pink succulent

The Graptosedum alpenglow is a succulent that can be found in mountain regions of Europe. It features narrow leaves and little to no ground cover. In order to maintain its shape, it is recommended that you prune once a year when preparing your garden for summer.

To minimize upkeep, place it in an area with regular sunlight and minimal winds; temperatures should not fall below 10 degrees Celsius. During the winter months, water sparingly and fertilize once every two weeks using a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

Lastly, if you plan on moving your plant indoors or outdoors during spring or autumn, do so gradually over a period of one week.

Graptosedum alpenglow light requirement

The Graptosedum alpenglow succulent requires at least five hours of bright light each day in order to maintain its beautiful bronze color. You may place it in a spot with just north-facing windows, or you can use grow lights to supplement weaker light.

Be sure that you don’t provide your plant with more than five hours of direct sunlight daily, as too much exposure will scorch and burn your plant’s leaves.

Soil/potting mix

Graptosedum alpenglow requires very well-drained soil, so it’s best to start with a quality potting mix. Add a handful of bone meal to your potting mix before planting. Amend your soil with a handful of finely shredded bark mulch prior to planting.

Be sure to keep at least one inch between your potted Graptosedum and surrounding objects so that its roots have plenty of room to grow and breathe.

Watering

Water your Graptosedum alpenglow, then allow it to dry before watering again. The soil should be moist but not soggy. This is a succulent, which means it requires plenty of water and sun, at least six hours of direct sunlight each day—in order to flourish.

Water your plants by hand with a soft spray from a garden hose if possible, as overwatering can cause root rot. If you’re unable to water by hand, use a watering can or set up an automatic sprinkler system that waters your plant at specific times during the day.

Keep in mind that overwatering causes root rot; check your plant’s soil regularly for moisture and adjust accordingly.

Fertilizer

Even in natural rock gardens, graptosedum alpenglow needs to be fertilized at least three times a year. If you have an indoor garden, you should fertilize it more often. If you use chemical fertilizers, stay away from those with high nitrogen levels, because they will cause burn marks on your plant’s leaves and stems.

Using these types of fertilizers can also make certain pests become more prevalent in your garden. Instead, look for a well-balanced fertilizer that contains phosphorus and potassium as well as nitrogen.

Temperature

These species of graptopetalums prefer areas that stay between 65 and 80 degrees during warm seasons. During fall and winter, they require temperatures that are around 45 to 55 degrees. Both of these plants need bright light but not direct sunlight; there should always be some shade in your planting area.

Humidity

Graptosedum alpenglow is a perennial that requires little maintenance, but it does require some attention to humidity. Like many indoor plants, it requires ideal humidity to maintain health and vigor. When environmental conditions are not ideal, however, you can artificially boost the humidity in your home or office with a humidifier.

The ideal humidity range is 40 to 60% RH. When conditions are too dry, leaves will turn brown and fall off. If you see brown leaf tips, it’s a sign that your plant needs more water or higher humidity.

Pruning

Once you have an idea of what kind of form you want to achieve, prune any extra growth on your plant. For example, if you’re trying to grow a low-growing plant that will be used in the groundcover or as a pot specimen, you’ll need to prune away all excess growth from higher up on its stem.

Another key aspect of pruning is being sure not to overdo it. In general, you should never remove more than one-third of a plant at once.

When to repot

graptosedum alpenglow - pink succulent

Spring is a great time to repot graptosedum alpenglow. If you want, you can take it outside in early spring when nighttime temperatures remain above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and give it as much sun as possible.

If you notice any pests or diseases while repotting, spray your plant with an organic insecticide containing neem oil or horticultural oil, which is safe for tropical plants and animals like frogs. Avoid any sprays that contain synthetic pyrethrins or rotenone.

Dormancy

All plants have a certain time during their lifecycle that they enter dormancy. This time, also known as winter sleep or hibernation, is when your plant becomes very sensitive to weather and environmental changes, so it helps to keep it indoors for safekeeping.

It’s important to know what causes dormancy in your specific variety of plants because many varieties require special treatment during their dormancy.

For example, Graptosedum alpenglow requires light levels below 5% of normal sunlight levels while dormant. If you don’t provide proper care during dormancy, you could kill your plant.

Flowers & fragrance

The Graptosedum Vera Higgins is a beautiful addition to your garden. It grows best in Sunset’s Climate Zones 4 through 10, where it will produce its profuse, delicate flowers year-round.

Growing to a mature height of about 6 inches, it does well in planters or hanging baskets and can also be used as an indoor plant.

As an added bonus, Graptosedum ‘Alpenglow’ attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its orange flowers in late spring and early summer.

Growth rate

In three years, Graptosedum alpenglow can grow up to 10 inches. The foliage stays compact, without crowding. Ideally placed in well-drained soil with part shade and occasional pruning of spent stems will keep it in shape. It’s often seen planted as a ground cover.

Toxicity

The foliage of members of Graptopetalum is poisonous. The milky sap can cause skin irritation, and ingestion can be fatal for livestock. Rhizomes can cause diarrhea. Inflorescences are mild eye irritants.

This plant has been reported to be used by locals as an herbal remedy to treat arthritis, gout, rheumatism, lumbago, and other disorders. No scientific studies have proven its effectiveness in treating these ailments, though.

USDA Hardiness Zones

Graptosedum alpenglow will thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9. In areas with colder winters, it is best to plant graptosedum alpenglow in a container and move it to a protected area during the winter months.

Pests and diseases

Graptosedum alpenglow is susceptible to a number of pests and diseases. In addition to those listed here, other potential threats include slugs, aphids, spider mites, rust, and scale.

Watch for signs of infestation including dead leaves and yellowing needles on your plant. If you notice these symptoms on your plant, consult with a garden center professional as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Graptosedum alpenglow, more commonly known as Graptosedum Vera Higgins, is a type of succulent native to South Africa. It gets its common name from its particularly colorful flowers that emerge in early spring.

These flowers are a bright golden yellow color with a slight orange tint. While these plants can be found growing naturally on rocks and cliffsides, they are also very easy to grow indoors.

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