Synonyms:

Graptopetalum pentandrum subsp. superbum

Habitat:

Graptopetalum superbum is native to Mexico, in the state of Jalisco. It is endemic of this state, where it inhabits rocky, dry, semi-arid environments with poor annual rainfall.

Description:

Graptopetalum superbum is a beautiful rosette-forming succulent plant, that makes collectors fall in love with the uniform purplish color of its leaves. Its rosettes are wide (up to 13 centimeters wide) and glowing, with numerous, triangular-shaped leaves, glabrous but covered in a barely visible, translucent pruine. Old specimens were observed with stems reaching 2 meters in height! However, this is a rare phenomenon: more commonly the species has a very compact growth habit, with rosettes very close to each other and much shorter stems, especially when exposed to direct sunlight.
Flowers, 1.6 centimeters wide, are yellowish-green, with reddish-brown spots. They are borne by an elongate flower stalk (up to 60 centimeters long), sprouting in winter and ending in a raceme-arranged (cluster) inflorescence.

Cultivation:

Graptopetalum superbum is tough and very easy to cultivate. Here below are our tips:

Provide your Graptopetalum superbum with plenty of light, that will enhance the purplish colour of its leaves and the compact growth habit, that makes it more decorative and easier to manage.
It’s quite resistant to frost if kept dry. However, we advise to stay safe and put it indoors in Winter, as it might be damaged or either might become more prone to rotting.
Water regularly during Spring and Summer (around at least once a week, waiting for the soil to dry up completelty before each irrigation. In Autumn, gradually decrease the watering frequency until completely suspending any irrigation in Winter. Watch out overwatering.
Choose a gritty, porous, well-draining soil. A specific substrate for succulents, which you can easily find in nurseries, is the ideal choice.
Fertilization can be carried out once during the growing season with a specific substrate for succulents, rich in Phosphorus and Potassium and poor in Nitrogen (we reming that excesses of Nitrogen in succulent plant won’t help growth but, on the contrary, cause the develop of more fragile, watery stems and leaves).
Repotting is necessary once a year, either to provide fresh soil and to contain the mighty growh of this species. Choose pots that are only slightly larger than the previous one.

Propagation:

The propagation of Graptopetalum superbum can be easily carried out through leaf cuttings or the removal of the offsets. Also in its natural environment, leaves fall and easily put roots on the ground. Also any rosette that breaks off has the potential to start a new plant, so it will be extremely easy to realize a cutting. Also sowing is a possible tecnique, but cutting is so easy that we definitely recommend it as the best method.

Curiosity:

Graptopetalum superbum was described for the first time without its native habitat being discovered. The first specimen found has in fact a mysterious origin: it had arrived in a nursery in California from a garage sale put together because of the death of the lady homeowner, who apparently was very fond of the plant.

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