Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ is a very attractive succulent and captivates audiences with its graceful appearance and silvery, somewhat greenish-colored leaves which form elegant rosettes that are soft on the eyes.
With proper care and sun exposure, the tips of the succulent plant’s leaves can develop a reddish color that adds a welcome contrast to the green. A fully grown Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ only reaches a height of 7.5cm or 3-inches.
From mid-winter to the early spring months, ‘Silver Star’ might surprise you by growing small clusters of white-tipped, pale-pink colored flowers.
Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ is a hybrid of 2 varieties – Graptopetalum filiferum and Echeveria agavoides lipstick that are both native to Mexico. Silver Star is a member of the Crassulaceae family.
General Information
Also known as: Silver Star.
Plant Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Hybrid of Graptopetalum filiferum and Echeveria agavoides lipstick that are both native to Mexico.
Height: 7.5cm (3”)
Exposure: Full to partial sunlight for up to 6 hours.
Water Needs: Soak and dry method is recommended; only water the soil when it’s completely dry.
Soil Type: Well-draining standard potting soil mix with peat, sand, and grit added for better drainage.
Soil pH: 6.0.
How to Grow and Care for Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’
Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ is popularly displayed in outdoor gardens as its mesmerizing shape and eye-catching color make the succulent plant stand out during the summer. Grown indoors, Silver Star will surely be a conversation starter among guests.
Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ isn’t a cold-hardy plant. So if the temperature in your region gets colder than -12.2° C (10° F), it would be best to grow the succulent in a pot that can be moved indoors.
Whether you grow the plant outdoors and indoors, you won’t have a hard time taking care of this variety of Graptoveria.
Sunlight
Silver Star needs sunlight and it will do just fine with either full or partial exposure.
The important things to keep in mind when giving this type of succulent sunlight are to locate Graptoveria in a place that gets 6 hours of rays and to make sure these are from the morning or late afternoon sun.
When grown indoors, place the pot near a window that receives 4 to 6 hours of indirect sunlight per day. Another option would be to put the plant under a Grow Light.
Watering
Don’t stress out if you forgot to water Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’. Succulents of this variety can survive without water for more than 2 weeks. Before watering the soil, make sure it’s completely dry by inserting your finger or a stick 1-2” into the topsoil.
If you confirm that the soil is bone-dry, give it a thorough soaking. You’ll know that the soil has been properly soaked if water starts to leak from the drain holes.
Always empty the tray under the drain holes. Otherwise, the roots will remain moist.
Expect the watering schedule to be less frequent during the winter months because the soil will stay moist longer.
Pot and Soil
A ceramic or terracotta pot will be the ideal choice for Silver Star because these unglazed types of pot help the soil lose moisture faster. The bottom of the pot must have drain holes to allow excess water to escape.
Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ will grow best in a standard potting soil mix with added ingredients such as peat, sand, and grit to improve the level of drainage.
How to Propagate Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’
Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ produces offsets that you can pull out for propagation. You can also add to your collection of Graptoveria by using its leaves.
Method 1 – Offsets
Step 1: Gently pull out the offsets from the main plant or cut them off with a pair of sterilized and sharpened garden shears.
Step 2: Allow the offsets to develop calluses by letting them dry out over 2 to 3 days.
Step 3: Once the offsets have callused over, plant them on a bed of well-draining potting mix for succulents.
Step 4: Lightly water the soil while the roots are still forming.
Step 5: When the roots have taken hold, water the soil once it’s completely dry.
Method 2 – Leaves
Step 1: Choose a healthy leaf from the main plant. You can do a careful “twist and pull” or cut it off with a sterilized and sharpened knife.
Step 2: Place the leaves in a warm area and let them callus for a period of 2 to 3 days.
Step 3: Plant the callused leaves on well-draining potting soil.
Step 4: Water the soil by misting it lightly over the next few days while the roots are still forming.
Step 5: Once the roots have appeared, water the soil only when it’s 100% dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Graptoveris ‘Silver Star’ doesn’t appear on the website of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as a plant that’s toxic to cats and dogs.
Why Is My Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ Dying?
If you suspect that your Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ is dying, the possible reasons could be overwatering or pest infestation.
As long as the plant is treated right away, you can be assured Silver Star will recover.
Overwatering
The single biggest mistake made by succulent growers is to overwater their plant. Yes, like all plants, succulents need water to produce food. But succulents are different in that these types of plants don’t require as much water.
In fact, giving it more water than it needs can cause the succulent’s roots to rot. Once the roots have rotted, a fungal infection can develop and this will spread throughout the plant.
The first sign to watch out for is discoloration. If you notice the leaves or stems turning into a blackish-yellow color or the appearance of black spots, get the garden shears right away.
Cut off all the discolored parts of the plant and uproot Silver Star from the pot. Check the roots and cut off the ones that have rotted. Then, leave Silver Star in a warm place to dry out.
Fill up a new ceramic or terracotta pot with standard potting mix soil and replant Graptoveria.
Pest Infestation
Pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects can find their way inside Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’. Not only will these insects make your succulent plant their home but they will also drain it of nutritious sap.
Spray Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ with neem oil to keep these pests out. Remove any white, cotton-like substances on the leaves with a cotton swab soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
Does Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ Produce Flowers?
Yes, Graptoveria ‘Silver Star’ produces pale pink-colored flowers that have white tips and appear in clusters from mid-winter to early spring.
Last Updated on June 9, 2022 by Sofia Lara
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