Pachyphytum

Family. Crassulaceae.

Origin. South America, Mexico.

Description. Pachyphytum is a genus of miniature, perennial succulent plants, consisting of 12 species. The plants form a leaf rosette with a diameter of up to 30 cm, consisting of fleshy, round or oblong, succulent leaves up to 5 cm long. The color of the leaves is very diverse and includes light green, gray, purple, pink, blue, and orange shades. Some species have a waxy coating on the leaves. During the flowering period, in spring and summer, the plants throw out very tall leafless peduncles, at the top of which there are branched inflorescences with many drooping greenish or pink flowers about 1 cm in diameter. With age, the plants form short, thick stems.

Height. 20 - 25 cm, grows slowly.

Caring for pachyphytum at home

Succulet propagation 

Easily propagated by leaf cuttings in spring and summer, they can simply be laid on the surface of the soil until roots appear. You can also use seeds. It will take more than 3 months to flower after the initial stem appears. 

Flowering time 

Spring Summer. 

How to care 

Pachyphytum does not require careful care. In the warm season, take the plant outside. Remove old, drooping leaves.

Transplantation

Every 2 - 3 years in very porous soil. Use a pot with good drainage. All species of this genus are best kept in small pots. 

Diseases and pests 

 Prone to rotting. Vulnerable to mealybugs.

Temperature conditions

During the growth period, keep at normal room temperature. Tolerates even extreme heat. During winter, plants need to rest at temperatures around 10°C, but do not expose plants to temperatures below 7°C. 

Lighting

A brightly lit location with plenty of sunlight and light shade on particularly hot summer days. In strong light the growth remains compact. Good light encourages flowering. 

Soil

Any well-drained soil, sandy substrate with a very small amount of organic matter (peat, humus) and pH from 4.5 to 6.0. Ideal drainage is essential. The plant tolerates nutrient-poor soils. 

Feeding

Once a month with fertilizers for cacti in half concentration. In the winter months, feeding is stopped.

Purpose

A very nice compact plant; a composition of several varieties in one pot looks good.

Air humidity

It tolerates even very dry air and does not need spraying; the air should be dry in autumn and winter. Place pachyphytum in an area with good air circulation. 

Soil moisture

It tolerates drought well, like other succulents. Water regularly during the warm season, but make sure the soil dries out between waterings. Reduce watering in the fall and keep the humidity low enough in winter to keep the leaves from shriveling. Avoid getting water on the leaves in winter. 

Note

Bushes may lose their attractiveness over time - replace them with new ones.

Varieties:

Pachyphytum oviferum

A spectacular, miniature succulent, reaching a height of 10 cm with short, light stems, and bluish or light purple round, thick, succulent leaves, covered with a waxy coating and collected in rosettes at the tops of the stems. The flowers are reddish-orange or greenish-yellow, appearing in winter or early spring on apical peduncles up to 30 cm long.

Pachyphytum bracteosum

A charming succulent plant with creeping or erect stems 10 - 30 cm long and thick, fleshy, rounded leaves in bluish-green, purple or pinkish shades. During the flowering period, thin leafless peduncles with small, attractive, greenish-red or yellow flowers appear at the tops of the shoots. 

Pachyphytum compactum

An attractive evergreen succulent with short, erect stems and pointed, oblong, rounded leaves arranged in rosettes. The color of the leaves is predominantly light green with pinkish or burgundy tops. The surface of the leaves is often covered with a bluish waxy coating. Vertical peduncles bear small inflorescences with yellow or pink flowers at the tops. 

Pachyphytum werdermannii

Miniature succulents with low stems bearing light green or bluish leaves collected in whorls. The leaves are thick, juicy, oblong-oval, covered with a bluish waxy coating. Vertical leafless peduncles during flowering and bear at the tops small drooping inflorescences with charming greenish-red flowers. 

Pachyphytum glutinicaule

Young plants are basal leaf rosettes of bluish, oblong leaves. With age, this variety produces thick, erect stems. The peduncles are thin, leafless, and pinkish in color. The inflorescences consist of several attractive pink, drooping, bell-shaped flowers.