Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Pet-safe
Ghost Plant
Graptopetalum paraguayense · Crassulaceae
Easy
Toxic to pets
Graptopetalum paraguayense is a rosette-forming succulent native to the state of Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico, not Paraguay as its specific epithet might suggest. It produces fleshy, triangular leaves coated in a powdery, waxy bloom that shifts in colour from pale grey-blue to lavender-pink or peach depending on light levels and temperature. It is widely grown as a low-maintenance houseplant and garden succulent, valued for its attractive colouration and tolerance of mild neglect.
☀ Light
Bright direct or indirect light
💧 Water
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings
🌡 Temp
10 to 29 C
💦 Humidity
Low; tolerates dry air well
🌿 Soil
Free-draining cactus or succulent compost
🍽 Feeding
Dilute succulent fertiliser once monthly in spring and summer
Photo: Didier Descouens / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Ghost Plant
Light
Ghost plant thrives in bright light and benefits from at least four to six hours of direct or very bright indirect sunlight per day. Indoors, a south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal. In lower light the plant stretches noticeably, producing elongated stems and losing its compact rosette form; this phenomenon is known as etiolation. Adequate light also intensifies the pink and lavender tones in the foliage, whereas shade causes the leaves to remain a flat grey-green.
Watering
As with most succulents, overwatering is the primary cause of failure. Allow the growing medium to dry out completely between waterings, then water thoroughly until liquid drains freely from the base. During the active growing season from spring to early autumn, watering every ten to fourteen days is generally sufficient; in winter reduce this to once a month or even less. Always empty saucers promptly to prevent the roots from sitting in standing water.
Soil and potting
A free-draining, gritty compost is essential. A proprietary cactus and succulent compost is suitable, or a mix of two parts perlite or coarse grit to three parts standard multipurpose compost can be used. Good drainage prevents the root rot to which this plant is susceptible when moisture is retained around the roots for extended periods.
Feeding
Feed sparingly during the growing season, from spring through to early autumn, using a balanced liquid fertiliser formulated for cacti and succulents at half the recommended strength, applied no more than once a month. Do not feed in autumn or winter when the plant is resting, as excess nutrients at this time can encourage soft, weak growth that is prone to pest damage and disease.
Humidity and temperature
Ghost plant is adapted to low-humidity conditions and grows well in the typically dry atmosphere of centrally heated homes. It tolerates temperatures from approximately 10 C to 29 C, but the sweet spot for indoor cultivation is 15 to 25 C. It can withstand brief dips towards 5 C but is not frost-hardy; prolonged exposure to cold or freezing conditions will cause cell damage and death. Avoid placing it near cold draughts from windows or doors in winter.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years, or when the roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root ball, as excess compost volume retains moisture unnecessarily. Terracotta pots are recommended over plastic because they are porous and aid evaporation, reducing the risk of overwatering. Repot in spring at the start of the growing season and allow the plant a week without watering afterwards to let any damaged roots dry and callous over.
Pruning
Pruning is not strictly necessary but can be carried out to manage the plant's untidy, trailing habit as it matures. The rosettes sit on long, brittle stems that elongate naturally and tend to sprawl or hang over the edge of the pot. Stems can be cut back to a preferred length using clean, sharp scissors or a knife. The cut stem will typically produce one or more new offsets, and the severed rosette can be used as a cutting for propagation.
Is Ghost Plant toxic?
Pets: Mildly toxic. The ASPCA lists Graptopetalum paraguayense as non-toxic to dogs and cats; however, ingestion of any succulent plant material can cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhoea in animals that are sensitive. It is always advisable to keep houseplants out of reach of pets as a precaution.
People: Not considered toxic to humans. As with all ornamental plants, ingestion is not recommended, particularly for young children.
People: Not considered toxic to humans. As with all ornamental plants, ingestion is not recommended, particularly for young children.
Common problems
Soft, translucent, mushy stems or leaves at the base
Likely cause: Root rot caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away any blackened or soft roots, allow to dry for a day or two, then repot into fresh dry, gritty compost. Reduce watering frequency significantly.
Long, stretched stems with widely spaced, small leaves
Likely cause: Etiolation due to insufficient light Fix: Move the plant to a brighter position with more direct sunlight. The stretched growth cannot revert; leggy stems can be cut back and the healthy rosette tips used as cuttings to start a compact new plant.
Leaves dropping at the slightest touch
Likely cause: Normal characteristic of the species, though stress from overwatering, underwatering, or physical disturbance can increase leaf drop Fix: Handle the plant as little as possible, as the leaves detach easily. Dropped leaves can often be used successfully for propagation. Check watering habits and adjust as necessary.
White, cottony clusters in leaf axils or on roots
Likely cause: Mealybugs Fix: Remove visible mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. For heavier infestations, apply an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution, ensuring thorough coverage in leaf crevices. Repeat at weekly intervals until clear.
Shrivelled, wrinkled leaves
Likely cause: Underwatering or excessively dry conditions over a prolonged period Fix: Water the plant thoroughly, allowing the compost to absorb moisture fully. The leaves should plump up within a few days. Adjust the watering schedule to prevent the plant from drying out for too long.
Loss of the distinctive silvery or pinkish waxy coating on leaves
Likely cause: Physical handling; the powdery farina is easily removed by touch Fix: There is no way to restore removed farina on existing leaves. Handle the plant from the pot rather than touching the foliage, and new growth will develop with the coating intact.
How to propagate
Leaf cuttings
Select a healthy, plump leaf and gently twist it away from the stem with a clean side-to-side motion, ensuring the base of the leaf is intact. Allow it to callous on a dry surface for two to three days, then place it on top of lightly moistened cactus compost. Small rosettes and roots typically emerge from the base within three to eight weeks.
Stem cuttings
Cut a rosette-tipped stem section of five to ten centimetres using a clean, sharp blade. Strip the lower leaves, allow the cut end to dry for two to three days, then insert into free-draining compost. Water sparingly and roots should form within three to four weeks.
Offsets
Mature plants produce small offsets, sometimes called pups, around the base. These can be carefully separated from the parent plant once they are at least two to three centimetres in diameter, allowed to callous briefly, and potted individually into appropriate compost.
Where Ghost Plant comes from
Native to Tamaulipas, north-eastern Mexico.
Story and origins
The genus name Graptopetalum is derived from the Greek words 'graptos', meaning marked or written upon, and 'petalon', meaning petal, a reference to the distinctive spots or markings found on the petals of many species in the genus. The specific epithet paraguayense means 'of or from Paraguay', though this is a geographical misnomer resulting from an incorrectly labelled herbarium specimen collected in the nineteenth century. The plant's common name, Ghost Plant, refers to the pale, ethereal, silvery-grey appearance of the foliage, particularly under lower light conditions or when the farina is fully intact.
Graptopetalum paraguayense was first described scientifically by the German botanist Nathaniel Lord Britton and American botanist Joseph Nelson Rose in 1903, based on material that was mistakenly believed to have originated in Paraguay. The error in provenance was not corrected until later surveys confirmed the plant's true native range in the Sierra Madre Oriental region of Tamaulipas, Mexico, where it grows on rocky cliffs and steep canyon walls. It was introduced to cultivation in the early twentieth century and became a popular ornamental succulent in the United States and Europe, particularly valued in Mediterranean-climate gardens and as a windowsill plant in temperate regions. It holds no particular documented cultural symbolism in its native Mexico, though it has become a widely recognised plant in succulent hobbyist culture globally.
Varieties to know
Graptopetalum paraguayense 'Fred Ives'
This is actually a hybrid (Graptoveria 'Fred Ives') between G. paraguayense and Echeveria gibbiflora, producing larger, bronzy-pink rosettes; it is frequently sold alongside the true species.
Graptopetalum paraguayense var. bernalense
A naturally occurring variety from Queretaro, Mexico, with slightly more rounded, less pointed leaves and a subtly different growth habit.
Fun facts
- Despite its specific epithet, Graptopetalum paraguayense does not originate from Paraguay; it was named based on an erroneous collection label and is native to Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico.
- The waxy, powdery coating on the leaves, known as farina or epicuticular wax, reflects excess sunlight and reduces water loss, and is a fingerprint-sensitive layer that cannot regenerate on existing leaves once removed.
- Ghost plant is capable of surviving extended droughts by drawing on water reserves stored within its thick, fleshy leaves, allowing it to tolerate neglect that would kill most houseplants.
- The leaf colour of ghost plant acts as a reliable environmental indicator: plants receiving adequate light turn lavender, peach, or pinkish-yellow, while those in low light revert to a flat grey-green.
- A single detached leaf placed on compost can produce a complete new rosette with roots, making this one of the more reliable succulent species for leaf propagation.
Ghost Plant FAQ
Why are the leaves on my ghost plant falling off when I touch it?
Ghost plant leaves are notoriously fragile and detach very easily as a natural characteristic of the species. This is actually an adaptive survival mechanism, as the fallen leaves can root and produce new plants. Stress from overwatering, sudden environmental changes, or physical contact can increase the rate of leaf drop. The good news is that the dropped leaves can often be propagated successfully. Handle the plant by its pot rather than its foliage to minimise accidental leaf loss.
Why has my ghost plant turned green and started stretching out?
This is etiolation, caused by insufficient light. Ghost plant requires bright light, ideally with some direct sun, to maintain its compact rosette shape and its characteristic grey, pink, or lavender colouration. Move it to a sunnier windowsill, ideally south- or west-facing. The stretched growth will not revert to being compact, but you can cut back the leggy stems and use the rosette tips as cuttings to start a neat new plant in the better location.
How often should I water my ghost plant?
During spring and summer, water thoroughly once the compost has dried out completely, which is typically every ten to fourteen days indoors. In autumn and winter, reduce watering to once every three to four weeks or even less. Always check that the soil is fully dry before watering again, as overwatering is the most common cause of failure with this plant. Err on the side of too little rather than too much.
Is ghost plant safe to keep around cats and dogs?
The ASPCA lists Graptopetalum paraguayense as non-toxic to cats and dogs. However, ingestion of plant material can still cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting in some animals. It is generally advisable to keep houseplants out of reach of pets to avoid any irritation and to protect the plant from being damaged.
Can ghost plant be grown outdoors in the UK?
Ghost plant can be grown outdoors in the UK during the warmer months from late spring to early autumn. However, it is not frost-hardy and must be brought inside before temperatures drop towards freezing in autumn. In sheltered, mild locations in the south of England it might survive a mild winter outdoors if kept completely dry, but this is risky and not generally recommended. It performs best as a container plant that can be moved indoors during cold weather.
The leaves on my ghost plant look wrinkled and shrivelled. What is wrong?
Wrinkled or shrivelled leaves indicate that the plant is dehydrated and has been without water for too long. Water thoroughly, allowing the compost to absorb moisture evenly, and the leaves should begin to plump up and recover within a few days. If the leaves are also soft and mushy rather than simply wrinkled, this may instead indicate root rot from overwatering, in which case you should check the roots and repot into dry compost if necessary.
How do I propagate ghost plant from leaves?
Gently twist a healthy, intact leaf from the stem, ensuring the base of the leaf comes away cleanly without tearing. Lay it on top of, rather than buried in, barely moistened cactus compost in a bright but indirectly lit spot. Mist lightly every few days. Within three to eight weeks a small rosette and fine roots should emerge from the leaf base. Once the new rosette is established and the original leaf has shrivelled, the young plant can be potted on into its own container.
