Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’ Variegata — plants for sale displayed in 70 mm pots, as shown in images 2 to 5. You will receive the individual plant selected. Please select your preferred plant from the drop-down menu above the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
We currently have two exceptional specimens available, each displaying a distinctly different form of variegation. One features exceptionally even, balanced variegation across the leaves — a particularly rare and highly prized form. The second displays the more commonly seen streaked and mottled variegation, with irregular patterns of green, cream and pink that give each leaf its own unique character.
Both plants have reduced chlorophyll and grow considerably more slowly than standard Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’. They require a little more care with watering, light and seasonal conditions and are best suited to growers with some experience caring for variegated succulents.
About Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’ Variegata
Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’ Variegata is a beautiful and highly collectible variegated form of Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’, a species originating from Mexico. Its thick, fleshy leaves form compact rosettes, with variegation producing combinations of soft green, cream, pink and blush tones that can become particularly striking under favourable growing conditions.
Even the standard Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’ is naturally slow-growing, while highly variegated plants generally develop considerably more slowly again due to their reduced chlorophyll. This makes building up numbers a lengthy process.
We have been growing and propagating ‘Superbum’ Variegata for several years, yet our numbers remain quite limited. Its naturally slow growth, together with the unpredictable results of propagating particular forms of variegation, means good specimens can take considerable time to produce. Plants displaying exceptionally even, balanced variegation are particularly uncommon and highly prized by collectors.
As plants mature, individual rosettes can reach approximately 10–12 cm across, gradually developing into larger multi-headed specimens over time. Mature plants may also produce delicate star-shaped flowers on slender flower stems.
Growing & Care
Good drainage is particularly important with Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’ Variegata. Grow in a very free-draining succulent mix and allow the growing medium to dry well between waterings. Small plants and highly variegated specimens should be watered particularly carefully, as prolonged wet conditions can quickly lead to stem or root rot.
We prefer to err slightly on the dry side. Losing an occasional lower leaf through dry conditions is generally far less serious than losing an entire plant through rot.
Provide plenty of good light to maintain compact growth and attractive colour. Highly variegated plants contain less chlorophyll and can be more sensitive to extremes than the standard form, so acclimatise plants gradually to stronger sunlight and provide protection from intense summer afternoon sun, particularly during very hot Australian weather.
During active growth, highly variegated plants can benefit from light supplementary feeding to help compensate for their slower growth. We have had good results using PowerFeed on our slower-growing, highly variegated specimens. Fertiliser should nevertheless be used selectively and in moderation, as excessive feeding can encourage overly soft vegetative growth and reduce desirable colour in succulents that are best grown relatively slowly.
Propagation & Variegation
Graptopetalum pentandrum ‘Superbum’ Variegata can be readily propagated from both leaves and stem cuttings. Leaf propagation is particularly interesting because plants grown from variegated leaves can produce a surprisingly diverse range of results.
In our own propagation, variegated leaves have produced the more commonly seen mottled and streaked forms, plants with varying degrees of pink variegation, standard or reverted growth, and occasionally extremely variegated growth. Some offsets can emerge almost completely pink. While beautiful, growth without sufficient green tissue contains too little chlorophyll to sustain itself independently and may eventually fail unless attached to growth containing adequate chlorophyll.
The exceptionally even, balanced variegation seen in our premium form appears to behave differently. Despite propagating well-variegated leaves, we have not yet succeeded in reproducing this particular pattern through leaf propagation. The resulting plants have instead displayed other forms and degrees of variegation.
Stem propagation has been much more encouraging. Stem cuttings taken from our evenly variegated plants have, so far, produced new growth retaining the same beautifully balanced variegation. Our experience is based on a relatively limited number of plants, so we regard this as an observation from our own propagation rather than an absolute rule.
When taking stem cuttings, allow the parent plant to reach sufficient size before removing a head. Propagation is best undertaken while plants are actively growing and when there is sufficient warm growing weather ahead for cuttings to establish a healthy root system before winter. Growers in warmer regions of Australia may naturally have a longer propagation window.
Young plants and newly established cuttings should be watered cautiously. Good light, excellent drainage, appropriate nutrition and regular pest monitoring will give these slow-growing variegated plants the best opportunity to establish and develop into strong, beautifully coloured specimens.
First time customers... Please read our Shipping Guide, in top or bottom menu, before placing your order.
Please Note:
- All plants are sent bare rooted with no pots and soil, or minimum soil only.
- Due to the drying process necessary for sending plants through the mail, plants may look slightly different than images shown on our website
- Some plants, may look wrinkled when they arrive, may be somewhat limp, or soft to the touch. This is normal as they have been dried out for for a number of days before shipping to avoid rotting in the mail.
- Succulents are very hardy plants and they will recover quickly, providing you unpack them as soon as you receive them follow some simple care instructions you will find with your order.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please message us via our Facebook page at John & Norma's Succulents for the fastest Response.