Ghost plant - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Ghost plant — <em>Graptopetalum paraguayense</em>

Description

Ghost plant is a distinctive rosette-forming succulent plant that grows with a low mounding habit, 12-15 in. tall and 2-3 ft. wide. This succulent is native to Mexico and is well adapted to warm climate areas in the Inland Empire. Foliage is comprised of fleshy 1-11/2 in. long tapered leaves that are mostly pearly-gray, but take on various shades of rose and purple in response to sun exposure and temperature conditions. Small yellow star-shaped flowers grow in early spring.

Ghost plant is a good special interest foliage accent plant in small spaces, raised planters and containers where it can provide bold color contrast with other plants. Like other succulents, it grows best in full sun, in well-drained soils and with low amounts of moisture. It can tolerate temperatures to 25°F.

Water Needs

Ghost plant is well adapted to all parts of the Inland Empire in sunny exposures with normal winter rains and low amounts of summer irrigation. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains often provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates Ghost plant can grow with varying amounts of water; little supplemental water is needed during summer following the flowering cycle.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 1

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	1x	0x to 2x	0x to 2x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	0" to 2"	0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

0"-2"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Succulent
Foliage Character: Succulent
Habit: Trailing, Mounding, Compact
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 12 in. - 15 in.
Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.
Water Needs: Low 1
Foliage Color: Pale green, Purple
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Heat, Drought, All day sun
Function: Rock gardens, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Near pools and water features, Grouped, Foliage accent plant, Container plant, Borders