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Pachyphytum Hookeri – 6 Caring Tips and 2 Propagation Methods

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Pachyphytum Hookeri boasts Silvery- blue inflorescence with pointy, erect leaves in a fleshy rosette. It is believed that they are indigenous to Mexico, where they thrive on rugged cliffsides.

They also have a thick coat of powdered epicuticular wax on their skin, which shields them from the sun. With maturity, the stems may bend to the ground and grow to a maximum height of 20 inches; however, with frequent trimming, they can be kept tidy and manageable.

Pachyphytum Hookeri 1
Pachyphytum Hookeri – via Etsy

The Main Characteristics of a Pachyphytum Hookeri

Growth/ Size

Native to Mexico, this tiny succulent possesses broad and thick leaves that develop into rosettes with branches that may grow approximately 21 inches in length. 

How to care for your Pachyphytum Hookeri – 6 crucial tips

Lighting Needs

If you want a healthy Pachyphytum Hookeri plant, it is crucial that you make sure your plant receives ample sunlight. To grow optimally, these plants need to be exposed to the full sun for at least 7 hours a day.

If the weather is particularly hot outside, you should water your plant to protect it from the heat. To meet your plant’s lighting requirement, we advise against the use of artificial lighting sources.

Your Pachyphytum Hookeri will grow best if you meet its lighting needs by placing it under the sun. So, you should always plant your Pachyphytum Hookeri outdoors.

If, however, you can not figure out how to provide it with ample direct sunlight, don’t fret; the Pachyphytum Hookeri is pretty well adapted to surviving and even thriving under partial shades.

So, if you plant it below taller trees that can provide it with about 7-8 hours a day of bright, indirect sunlight, you will be good to go.

If you’re planting your Pachyphytum Hookeri indoors, though, we recommend you place it near a large window where it can receive both direct and indirect sunlight.

Watering Needs

The Pachyphytum Hookeri is very particular about its watering requirements. Because of this, it is pretty easy to over-or under-water this plant. For your plant’s optimal growth, we recommend that you water it once every one or two weeks – especially if the upper layer of the soil has dried out.

To check this, use your bare fingers and trace them on the upper layer of your plant’s soil. If you find that your soil is dry, You must water your plant immediately till it becomes moist. If, however, you sense some moisture, hold off on watering your plant for a day or two.

Now even though the Pachyphytum Hookeri is drought resistant, it can still sustain permanent damage if it is underwatered for long time periods. For example, the plant’s tips will begin to burn, and its leaves will begin to disfigure if it is made to live without water for long time periods.

Soil Needs

A cactus potting mix will work well for the Pachyphytum hookeri. Sand and loam mixtures might also work well for this plant. It is ideal for growing Pachyphytum on sandy soil since the small sand particles virtually retain no water.

Pachyphytum will not thrive on clay soils because they are too water retentive. To save water, this plant will use its leaves and stems as reservoirs.

To maintain a Pachyphytum plant in wet potting soil, use bonsai soil, which is made of clay. As a general rule, if you have damp soil conditions for a long length of time, your Pachyphytum Hookeri will decay, which is terrible news.

Temperature and Humidity

Pachyphytum hookeri may thrive in just about any habitat; however, it prefers temperature conditions between 69- and 80-degrees ℉ during the day and 51 to 70 degrees ℉ at night.

This plant can tolerate frost up to around five ℉, but it is susceptible to cold below 40 degrees ℉.

In addition, it has been shown that this plant thrives in conditions with a relative humidity of approximately 45%. Overall, most gardeners report that this plant grows better in low humidity conditions than it does under high humidity conditions.

Fertilizing Needs

The Pachyphytum hookeri, like other succulent plants, requires regular fertilizing in order to thrive.

Overall, this plant has a pretty slow-growing speed, so you won’t need to fertilize it often. However, you should fertilize it each year to ensure the highest growth rate possible.

During the growth season, the Pachypyhtym plant requires fertilization once a month, and this should be achieved using a diluted cactus fertilizer to avoid overfertilization.

Because this plant is particularly sensitive to fertilizer, it only requires it in minute amounts. Too much fertilizer will cause the Pachypyhtum hookeri to develop poorly, and the foliage will begin to droop.

Pruning

Since this plant is a slow grower, you won’t need to prune it much throughout its life. However, if you notice any branches ruining its shape, you can always prune to tame its looks. Additionally, pruning away the dead branches and leaves will keep your plant healthy and safe from diseases.

Pachyphytum Hookeri 2
Pachyphytum Hookeri – via Etsy

Propagating a Pachyphytum Hookeri – a step-by-step guide

There are two main ways you can propagate a Pachyphytum Hookeri plant indoors:

  • Propagation via leaf cuttings
  • Propagation via stem cuttings

Below is a guide to both of these methods; choose whichever one you suit best.

Propagation via Leaf Cuttings

The Steps:

  • Start by sanitizing your equipment.
  • Then, take out a couple of healthy leaves from an existing Pachyphytum Hookeri plant and let these cuttings dry off for a couple of days.
  • Then dip these cuttings into a suitable rooting hormone to stimulate root development.
  • Now, ground these cuttings into the soil mix you’ve prepared
  • Provide your cuttings with the necessary caring conditions we spoke about earlier in this article
  • After a couple of weeks, new roots will start developing
  • Once your newly propagated Pachyphytum Hookeri has properly established its roots, relocate it to a permanent pot.

Propagation via Stem Cuttings

The steps:

  • Start by cutting out a healthy piece of an existing plant’s stem using a clean knife.
  • Then, remove the lower leaves of your stem as well as any dead leaves that are still intact.
  • Ground your cutting in a well-draining, nutritious soil mix and follow the caring tips we outlined above.
  • Once your plant properly establishes its roots, you’re free to report it to a permanent location.

A Final Look

The Pachyphytum is a beautiful flowering succulent that is coveted by many home gardeners for its elegant aesthetics. To properly take care of this plant, follow these guidelines:

  • Water your plant once a week.
  • Expose your plant to the direct sun for at least 7 hours a day.
  • Keep the surrounding humidity relatively low and grow your plant at room temperature.
  • Fertilize your plant once every month- especially when it is establishing itself.

To propagate your Pachyphytum Hookeri plant, use either of the two methods we’ve outlined above.