Moonstone.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Succulent

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 14 to 21 days

Mature size

6 inches tall

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 9 to 11

Bloom time

Late winter to spring

Care

Give this plant plenty of light to keep it compact and healthy. Watch for shriveling leaves as a sign it needs a drink, but be careful not to let it sit in soggy soil. Always water the soil directly to keep the powdery coating on the leaves intact.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or shriveled leaves from the base as needed.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant has outgrown its current container.

Soil

Well draining cactus mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

5 to 35°C

Humidity

10 to 40%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The leaves are small and round, which could pose a choking hazard if a child attempts to swallow them.

Contact allergens

The powdery farina can be a mild skin irritant if handled excessively.

Airborne allergens

There are no known respiratory allergens associated with this plant.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Plump egg shaped fleshy leaves
• Powdery white coating on leaves
• Rosette growth pattern
• Bell shaped reddish flowers

Height

0.1 to 0.2m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

pale blue, lavender, white, evergreen

Flowers

red, white, 0.5 to 1.5cm

Problems to watch for

• Mealybugs · Small white cottony insects that hide in leaf crevices.
• Root rot · Caused by overwatering or poor drainage.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, leaf cuttings

When to plant

spring, summer

Overwintering

Keep the plant dry and cool during the winter months to encourage dormancy. Avoid freezing temperatures at all costs.

In containers

It is excellent for containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is filled with a gritty cactus mix.

Group succulents with similar water needs to ensure you do not accidentally overwater the moonstones.

Grows well with

• Echeveria · They share similar water and light requirements.
• Sedum · These succulents thrive in the same well-draining soil conditions.

Similar species

• Graptopetalum · They have a similar growth habit and succulent nature.

Science

Family

Crassulaceae

Genus

Pachyphytum

Order

Saxifragales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central Mexico

Conservation

This species is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows in arid, rocky environments where it survives by storing water in its fleshy leaves.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

container plant, rock garden, succulent collection

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil is completely dry, usually every 2 to 3 weeks.

Does it need direct sun?

Yes, it prefers several hours of direct sun each day to stay compact and prevent stretching.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Pachyphytum is derived from the Greek words pachys, meaning thick, and phyton, meaning plant. The species name oviferum means egg-bearing, referring to the egg-shaped leaves.

Good to know

• It is commonly called the moonstone plant because of its rounded, stone-like leaves.
• The leaves are very fragile and will drop off if touched too roughly.
• It originates from rocky outcrops in Mexico.
• The name Pachyphytum comes from the Greek words for thick plant.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants