Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulent commonly called blue bean succulent. When they mature, they to grow densely.
Further they form in a way, where they look like beautiful bean-like consistency. When Graptopetalum pachyphyllum blue bean succulents go through light stress, they could turn red.
These plants belong to the family Crassulaceae. Further blue succulents are native plants in Mexico.
Lets find how more about this beautiful plant.
How do I identify Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum Blue bean?
They are low growing succulents which form mini rosettes along with compact tiny plump leaves.
Those leaves could be spotted in blue-green colors. Moreover, they would consist of pinkish red margins.
When you expose them for bright sunlight and for cold temperatures, their pink colors would intensify.
When you provide these conditions, it means the plants are going through stress and they tend to turn red.
Further you could spot them branched at their plant base along with stems which tend to take a sprawling look.
In addition to above, you could identify these plants from their flowering too. They would usually produce flowers in white to green colors.
As such if you are someone who wishes to add some vivid color for your garden, this would be the succulent you need to go ahead and plant.
Size
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents would usually be about 8 inches (20cm) in height.
Growth
Blue Bean succulents are a low growing set of succulents.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum |
| Common Name | Blue Bean |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 8 inches (20cm) |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sunlight to partial sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-draining |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | White to green |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b |
| Native Area | Mexico |
| Toxicity | Non-Toxic |
| Average price | 10 USD |
How do you take care of Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue bean’?
Light Requirement
It is important that you expose them to full sunlight as much as you can since that would make them look vibrant in their colors.
Ideally you need to expose them to full sunlight in the morning. During intense sunlight you could expose them to partial sunlight, particularly in the afternoon.
Having said that, do not expose them to direct sunlight for too long since that would cause sunburns in the plants.
Temperature and humidity
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents would prefer to grow in hot weather conditions.
As such if there is any forecast of frost condition, best is to shift them indoors if you have grown them in containers outdoors.
These plants do not handle colds well. In terms of humidity, you should avoid exposing them to excess humidity.
Is it cold hardy?
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents are not cold hardy plants. They cannot handle cold weather.
Hence you need to make sure that you are taking necessary actions to protect them from colder weather conditions.
Zone
You may grow these plants in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b where there will be a minimum temperature of -3.9 degrees Celsius (25 degrees Fahrenheit).
Watering Requirement
Watering Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents properly is very important when taking care of them.
When you water them well, that would help them to grow vigorously and healthily. Their watering requirement is quite similar to the rest of other succulents.
Literally you need to first see whether their soil is dry and only then you may water them. Do not ever let them strand in waterlogged conditions.
You could avoid having over-watering situation by applying the soak and dry method when watering. Further you need to adjust your watering method depending on the season as well.
Moreover, you need to observe whether the excess water is draining through the draining holes in the pot so that you are sure that there will be no excess water retained in the pot.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents are fond of growing in a well-draining soil mix just like the rest of other succulents.
Good draining is very important when selecting the right soil mix to grow these plants. That will help their roots to grow vigorously and healthily.
If your soil mix is retaining water within the soil, that will create root rots. Further it would make them more prone for fungal growths as well.
Hence best is to not to grow them in regular soil mix. cactus soil mix or a succulent soil mix would suit them the best.
Flowering and Fragrance
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents would produce flowers in white to green colors. They would usually flower during spring, and it will be a treat to watch them in their full blossom.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
Best is to grow the Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents in a porous material. Terracotta pots would be ideal to grow them.
In addition to that ensure that your pot has a draining hole in the bottom too.
These plants do not want to be repotted often. However You could consider repotting them when you purchase them freshly from the stores.
To start this off, you simply have to remove the plant from the older pot gently and clean its roots from the older soil..
After that you need to see whether there are any rotten parts of the plants. If there are any you may get rid of them as well.
Next you may plant them back in a fresh well-draining soil mix and continue with the regular care treatments.
Where to Plant
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents should be planted in a place where they could get strong sunlight.
Due to this they would be ideal to grow as outdoor plants. Even if you grow them outdoors, make sure that they do not expose to intense sunlight.
They are very fond of a warm climate.
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11b where the minimum temperature would be around 3.9 degrees Celsius) 25 degrees Fahrenheit).
On the other hand, if you live in a colder area, you may grow them as indoor plants without growing them outdoors.
Alternatively, you may grow them outdoors during hot and dry weather conditions and bring them indoors when the colder weather conditions come.
Fertilizer and time of year
You could feed the Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents with a balanced fertilizer. However, you need to dilute it to 1/ strength and then use it.
They do not require fertilizers a lot. Hence be vigilant to not over fertilize them.
Other plants Pairs Well With
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents would grow well with Pachyphytum Oviferum and Cotyledon Pendens plants.
Can it be toxic to pets
Common bugs and illnesses
Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents could encounter pests’ attacks such as mealybug attacks.
Mealy bugs are tiny, and you could spot them as white cottony substances. They would usually crawl in the plants each and every nook and corner.
It is very important that you treat them as soon as you spot any. The sooner you attend to treat them the better it will be.
If you suspect any mealybug attack, best is to isolate these plants from the rest of other plants. After that you need to see whether it has already affected the other plants.
Mealy bugs could be so irritating since you cannot identify them to your naked eye at once and chances are that they could go unnoticed.
Further they could spread faster too. That is why they could be so risky and annoying.
To treat them, you could use a q tip which you had soaked in rubbing alcohol and apply it at the affected places.
That would kill those easily. Apart from that you need to water the soil with rubbing alcohol so that it could kill any mealybug eggs which are remaining in the soil.
Continue doing this for several days until you get rid of them completely.
In addition to that you should keep checking your beloved Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents on a regular basis so that you could see if there are any signs of disease or any infections.
Further if you could spot any dead leaves, you may remove them unless they could be great breeding places for pests.
In addition to mealybugs, root rot would be one major concern that Graptopetalum pachyphyllum succulents would go through.
It could be so dangerous as it would be fatal on the plants. Root rot could occur as a repercussion of over watering.
Hence it is vital that you attend to the aforesaid watering techniques when watering them and avoid over watering them at any given point of time.
Apart from that ensure that you are using a pot which has enough draining holes and you are growing them in a well-draining soil mix as well.
If you practice these methods, you could prevent any potential root rots. However, if you come across any root rots, best is to get rid of the rotten parts of the plants and repot them.
If the root rot has spread on a severe level, best is to propagate them.
Special Care tips
I would recommend conducting constant checkups on your plants to see whether there are any signs of pest’s attacks.
In addition to that, keep the surrounding of your Graptopetalum pachyphyllum plants neat and clean so that it would not be a breeding place for any pests.
How to propagate Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum Blue bean
Propagation of Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue Bean’ By Leaves
When you are trying this method, you simply have to obtain a leaf gently from the mother plant.
Make sure you are selecting a healthy leaf and you are obtaining the whole leaf from the plant without leaving any part of it on the plant.
if you use damaged leaves chances are that your propagation will not succeed. However, when you obtain the healthy leaves, let them become callous and plant them in a well-draining soil mix.
Once you spot the soil is dry you may water them.
Propagation of Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue Bean’ By Cuttings
If you wish to practice this method, you could cut a leaf from the mother plant and start the proceedings.
You may use a clean knife or scissors to cut them. Ensure they become callous and only after that you could plant them in a well-draining soil mix.
Propagation of Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue Bean’ By Offsets
You could use blue bean plants offsets to propagate them. However, you will have to wait for several years until they produce offsets.
Once they produce you could use a clean knife or a scissor and remove them from the mother plant.
Once you remove the offsets you need to first get rid of the older soil and only after that you could place them in a dry place where they can become callous.
After that you may plant them in a well draining soil mix.
Propagation of Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue Bean’ By seeds
This is not recommended to do even though it is possible to do. If you still wish to do it you simply have to place them in a well-draining soil mixture.
Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum Blue bean plant benefits
Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue Bean’ would be great picks for containers and for pots.
Conclusion
Trust this article was helpful for you to enhance your knowledge on the blue bean succulents. You simply have to make sure that you provide the right growing conditions for them.
That will allow them to flourish. As long as you take care of them well, they will reward you with beautiful plants in return.
So, hurry up and start growing your wonderful Graptopetalum Pachyphyllum ‘Blue Bean’ plants.
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