Description

It grows tall stems that eventually bend to the ground and lose their lower leaves. Fortunately, members of the Pachyphytum (meaning “fat plant”) genus have a high success rate of propagation from stem cuttings to keep rosettes from looking overgrown. Soft succulents will not survive a hard frost, but if there is a risk of freezing temperatures they can be brought indoors to grow on a sunny window sill or under a grow light. They need bright sun, great drainage, and infrequent water to thrive. Pick containers with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus and succulent soil with 50% to 70% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water deeply enough for water to run out the drainage hole, then wait for the soil to fully dry before watering again. This species is native to the rocky slopes of Hidalgo, Mexico. It is a matte blue-green but can show tinges of violet when gently stressed by full sun, drought, or cool 50F temperatures. The leaves have a powdery coating of natural wax (farina).