{"id":4628,"date":"2025-10-03T23:29:38","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T06:29:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/03\/how-to-grow-ghost-plants-mother-of-pearl\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T23:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T06:29:43","slug":"how-to-grow-ghost-plants-mother-of-pearl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wrwofficial.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/03\/how-to-grow-ghost-plants-mother-of-pearl\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Ghost Plants (Mother of Pearl)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Soil<\/h3>\n

Outdoor in-ground ghost plants require well-draining, sandy loam with a pH of 6.1 to 7.8.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using containers, make sure they have one or more drainage holes and use a cactus and succulent potting mix, or follow these instructions to make your own<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Loose, lean soil facilitates drainage and reduces the risk of rotting.<\/p>\n

Water<\/h3>\n

Ghost plants store moisture in their leaves and have excellent drought tolerance. When established, those growing in the garden won\u2019t need water unless there is a lengthy drought.<\/p>\n

Allow the soil in containers to dry out completely before watering. You can use a moisture meter<\/a><\/strong> to guide you.<\/p>\n

If you live in a community with municipal water, you may find that mineral salts build up on the soil and sides of containers.<\/p>\n

Remedy the situation by watering with purified or distilled water. You can find more information about watering succulents here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Fertilizer<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not necessary to fertilize ghost plants. If you choose to do so, wait until they are at least a year old to avoid burning the developing roots.<\/p>\n

Use a liquid product formulated for cacti and succulents diluted to a quarter or half strength in early spring. It should be low in nitrogen to avoid producing fast growth that results in spindly stems.<\/p>\n

If you need a recommendation, I use Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This product has an NPK ratio of 0.5-1-1, making it very low in nitrogen and mild.<\/p>\n

You can find Miracle-Grow Succulent Plant Food available via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Our guide to fertilizing succulents<\/a><\/strong> has more information.<\/p>\n

Cultivars to Select<\/h2>\n

When shopping, you\u2019ll find various options available, though often they will just be listed as \u201cghost plant\u201d or \u201cmother of pearl.\u201d<\/p>\n

The straight species has the typical whitish-gray-green foliage and white flowers with red accents.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Ghost Plant<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can find the species in two-inch pots available from Sprout N Green via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Bronze<\/h3>\n

G. paraguayense<\/em> cv. bronze, sometimes listed as \u2018Bronze\u2019 has brightly hued foliage that shade orange and red with ample sun exposure, but green in low light conditions.<\/p>\n

The star-shaped flowers are yellow.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Bronze<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This cultivated variety contrasts sharply with green succulents for a bold mixed grouping.<\/p>\n

You can find specimens in four-inch pots available from The Next Gardener via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Purple Haze<\/h3>\n

\u2018Purple Haze\u2019 is a hybrid of G. paraguayense<\/em> and G. superbum<\/em>, a pink-to-lavender species with yellow flowers. It has gray-to-lavender foliage and classic white flowers with red flecks.<\/p>\n

Pair it with the species for a complementary pastel lavender and pearlescent gray-green display.<\/p>\n

Variegated<\/h3>\n

The naturally occurring variegated form of the species, G. paraguayense<\/em> f. variegatum<\/em>, has white, purple\/pink, and gray-green foliage.<\/p>\n

The white flowers are speckled with red, crowning the eye-catching foliage.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Variegated<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Outstanding as a standalone specimen, this option requires a full-sun placement for optimal leaf variegation.<\/p>\n

Variegated ghosts are available from DH7 Enterprise via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Maintenance\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ghost plants require little maintenance when their basic cultural requirements are met.<\/p>\n

As the lowest leaves age, they turn yellow. You can gently twist them off to keep the rosettes tidy and encourage new growth.<\/p>\n

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Remove any foliage damaged by pathogens or pests to reduce susceptibility to further problems.<\/p>\n

After flowering, trim flower stems to their base to tidy up.<\/p>\n

Repot container-grown ghost plants when roots start to emerge from the drainage holes, moving them into a pot just one size larger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n