Moonglow Graptoveria Care – Learn How To Grow A Moonglow Plant

Moonglow Plant
(Image credit: asiantiger247)

Graptoveria, or Graptos as collectors know them, are sweet little succulent plants. They are the result of a cross between Graptopetalum and Echeveria with the rosette and waxy features of both. Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’ is an especially charming type of Grapto. It is a common houseplant with ease of care and interesting foliage. We'll go into some tips on how to grow a Moonglow plant and how to propagate the succulent in this article.

About Graptoveria ‘Moonglow’

The Moonglow plant is in a class by itself due to its color, form, and flower. While many Echeveria have a similar appearance, the influence from Graptopetalum lends the plant an iridescent tone and soft magical color. The diminutive plant looks very at home either in its own container or combined with other succulents, including cacti. Moonglow is a flowering succulent that is mostly grown as a houseplant. It is hardy to USDA zones 9 to 11. With little frost tolerance, the plant can be grown outdoors during summer in northern gardens but should be brought in when cold temperatures threaten. The plant grows just 6 inches (15 cm.) tall and 10 inches (25 cm.) across. Moonglow has thick, diamond shaped, greenish cream leaves with an attractive blush to the edges. The orange-yellow, bell-like flowers arrive in late spring to early summer.

How to Grow a Moonglow Plant

If you want to grow your own Graptoveria, succulent propagation is actually quite easy. These plants grow from seed, division, or cuttings. Growing Moonglow succulents from seed will take years to become recognizable plants with blooms, but are easy to get going in a moistened sandy mixture. Moonglow forms numerous offsets or smaller rosettes. These can be divided from the mother plant and planted as stand-alone specimens. This is the quickest way to get a new plant. The last way is to remove a leaf from a mature rosette and allow it to callus on the cut end for several days. Lay this leaf on some prepared succulent mixture and wait. The leaf will send out roots and eventually become a new plant.

Moonglow Graptoveria Care

Succulents are some of the easiest plants to grow. Graptoveria needs regular water during the growing season. Water when soil feels dry to the touch. Halve the water you give the plant in winter. The type of soil used will ensure the plant is not kept too wet. Use a succulent mixture or mix half potting soil with half sand for a DIY blend. Place plants in full to partial sun. If in a southern or western window, set them back a bit to prevent sunburn. Fertilize in spring with balanced food diluted to ¼ strength. Few pests and diseases trouble this easy-to-grow plant. Mostly you just have to sit back and enjoy this diminutive darling.

Bonnie L. Grant
Writer

Bonnie Grant is a professional landscaper with a Certification in Urban Gardening. She has been gardening and writing for 15 years. A former professional chef, she has a passion for edible landscaping.