Plant of the Month March 2025: Peachblossom (x Graptosedum 'California Sunset')

Our March 2025 Plant of the Month, x Graptosedum 'California Sunset’, is a hybrid cross of the Ghost Plant (Graptopelatum paraguayense) and Golden Sedum (Sedum adolphi). This succulent is sometimes referred to as Peachblossom due to its blush toned coloring. Like the Ghost Plant, Peachblossom succulents also flower in the Spring when mature. However they have longer blooming periods and will bloom through the early Summer in the right conditions. They reach full maturity after about 3 years, growing approximately 8 inches wide and 6 inches tall.

This beautiful succulent is best known for its vibrant coloring resembling the warmth of the sunset. But you might be surprised to find out that the colors are technically a stress response! But don’t worry, this isn’t a harmful kind of environmental stress like the sort caused by pests such as mealybugs or aphids. This ’good’ stress is induced by increasing sun exposure, lowering temperatures, or watering less frequently. Succulents are very resilient plants and respond well to this type of stress by producing certain pigments in their leaves to protect themselves. While many of us know the pigment responsible for making our plants various shades of green (Chlorophyll), people are often less familiar with the pigments that create other hues found in succulents. In response to hotter temperatures and increased sun, these succulents produce higher amounts of Carotenoids (responsible for the golden, orange, and deeper red hues) and Anthocyanin (responsible for more blue, purple, and pink hues). So if you notice your Peachblossom succulent turn greener after taking it home, there’s no need to panic as it’s not sick. But if you’d like to maintain the warm colors, I suggest placing it in a sunnier window or getting grow lights to maximize its light exposure. I do not recommend dehydrating your succulent however, as many new plant parents can struggle with watering schedules. Stick to a routine of only watering when the soil is fully dry to keep your succulent healthy. This is a great succulent for plant lovers with tons of light at home!

Peachblossom (x Graptosedum 'California Sunset’) needs the following care:

Light ☀️ Full Sun

Water 💧 Only when soil is completely dry. Do not overwater

Grow 🌱 This is not a cold hardy plant. For best results avoid temperatures below 50 F.