Pachyphytum Viride Walther Plant Care Guide

Pachyphytum Viride or Pachyphytum viride Walther is a member of the crassulaceae family. It is native to Mexico.

Pachyphytum comes from the greek pachys (thick) and phyton (leaves). If you look at this plant, you would think it has thick leaves.

Pachyphytum Viride grow on steep, rocky cliffs in the wild. The cliffs range from 5,910 to 7,220 feet.

There are around 1400 species of the crassulaceae family.

Pachyphytum Viride at a glance.

Pachyphytum viride Appearance & Growth Habit

Pachyphytum Viride is a striking, thick, smooth, green-leaved succulent, known for its long, trailing (or arching) stems.

Growth is in a rosette shape at the top, with the leaves branching out from the stem. Each stem typically holds 12 to 40 leaves.

Leaf colour can vary with the seasons and amount of sun this succulent receives. Colours vary from a pale to dark green, to having more violet-red hues when exposed to more sun.

Light Requirements for Pachyphytum viride

Pachyphytum Viride thrives in bright, direct light. It likes several hours of sun each day, so I keep my Pachyphytum in a south-west facing window. If you want your Pachyphytum to stay in a compact form, this is crucial.

While Pachyphytum is highly sun-tolerant, be mindful of sudden exposure to intense midday sun as this can cause sunburn. It’s best to gradually acclimate the plant if moving it to a brighter spot. 

Insufficient light can lead to stretched, leggy growth (etiolated), and duller leaf color, so always aim for as much bright light as possible to keep your Pachyphytum viride healthy and vibrant.

Ideal Temperature & Humidity for Pachyphytum viride

Pachyphytum Viride prefers a high temperature (up to 29 degrees celsius). At night it is fine with a temperature as low as 15 degrees.

I keep my succulents closer to the window away from the humidifier as they prefer low humidity (I use the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier (LV600HH)).

I use my humidifier to ensure the humidity levels in my apartment stays between 40% and 60%. Since I live in Canada and the winters can be very dry, and the humidity can drop below 30% humidity, so its helpful to set the humidity at about 45% or 50% in this season to keep all of my plants happy.

Growth Rate and Size of Pachyphytum viride

On average, Pachyphytum Viride can grow up to 3.3 feet. New foliage grows in a rosette form and branches from the stem.

To encourage growth, sparingly fertilize Pachyphytum viride Walther during the start of its growing season (typically in early spring) using a diluted, balanced cactus or succulent fertilizer. They are sensitive to over-fertilization, so only fertilize once or twice per season.

How and When to Repot Pachyphytum Viride

You will know it is time to repot your Pachyphytum viride Walther when you notice it becoming top-heavy, the roots are emerging from drainage holes or it has been 2-3 years since your last repot.

The best time to repot your Pachyphytum is during its growing season in spring or early summer.

When repotting, use a pot that is 2 inches larger than its current pot, and has a drainage hole. Drainage holes are crucial to prevent root rot. Use a well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix and add a bit to the new pot. Gently remove the plant from its old pot and gently detangle the old roots. Place your Pachyphytum in the new pot, fill in with fresh soil. Water after repotting.

Return the plant to a bright, sunny spot and resume your regular plant care routine.

For everything you will need during a repot, check-out my repotting guide.

Blooming Habits of Pachyphytum viride

Pachyphytum can flower. The flowers are white with faint colouration, and typically appear in arching glusters on reddish stalks.

Blooming usually occurs from winter to early spring, with each flower measuring up to 1 inch in length, and featuring a subtle dark purple-red spot near the tip. 

While the blooms are not the main feature of this succulent, they add a delicate touch that contrasts nicely with the plant’s thick, colourful leaves. Under the right conditions (plenty of sunlight and proper care) these blooms can be a rewarding sign of a healthy, mature plant.

Propagating Pachyphytum viride: Leaf & Stem Cuttings

The easiest way to start a new Pachyphytum Viride is by leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

Leaf Cuttings

Choose a plump, leaf from a healthy adult plant and twist it off the stem. Wait for the leaf to callus over in a well lit spot. This should take a couple of days. Once the callus is formed, you can pot it into a well-draining potting mix. Make sure you water your Pachyphytum after it has been potted. Place it in a well lit place.

Stem Cuttings

With stem cuttings you would make a cut on the stem for the Pachyphytum. Make sure there is at least one node. After cut, place the cut end of the stem directly into a well-draining potting mix. Water the plant. Place it in a well lit place.

Patience is key with propagation. Give your new plant time to settle into its environment. Once you see new growth, you know your plant is well established.

Watering Pachyphytum viride: How and When

The Pachyphytum Viride likes to dry out between waterings (typically needs to be watered once a month).

To determine if your plant needs water, you can stick your finger in the soil (1 to 2 inches) and if it is dry, its ready for water! If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can try a moisture meter.

It is best to bottom water your plants. It’s the easiest way to know if your plant is thirsty or not. Overwatering can lead to various issues including death of your Pachyphytum.

You can top water, but it’s best to do so in a pot with drainage until water is flowing out of the hole. If your pot doesn’t have drainage, you might accidentally drown your plant or make some fungus gnats very happy.

You should top water from time to time to make sure any built up minerals can wash through the plant. The water should drip out of the bottom of your drainage hole.

If you are going on an extended vacation, and are worried about watering your Pachyphytum viride, check-out my guide on 3 ways your can keep your plant alive while on vacation.

Common Pests and Problems in Pachyphytum viride

Pachyphytum Viride can face the following pests and problems.

Pests of Pachyphytum

• Mealy Bugs: these look like little white cotton balls on the Pachyphytum Viride. You can remove these with your fingers if you catch them early enough, but I would use a cotton swab with a drop of Isopropyl alcohol and try to scrape them off the stem.
• Fungus gnats: Spray the Pachyphytum with a mixture of neem oil, dish soap and water. I also let the soil dry out and add dryer sheets on top of the soil so the gnats can’t sense the moisture on the soil.

Other Common Problems of Pachyphytum

• Overwatering: Root rot happens from overwatering your Pachyphytum with insufficient drainage. You can improve the drainage of your plant by ensuring your plant is potted in a planter with a drainage hole and using a well draining soil (something with a decent amount of perlite). You can also end up with fungus gnats or fungal disease from overwatering.
• Underwatering: Even though plants prefer to be underwatered over overwatered, you still have to remember to water it on a consistent schedule. You will know your Pachyphytum wants water when the leaves are looking less full. Shrivelled leaves is a sign of underwatering.
• Sunburn: Even though you will often find this plant in bright, sunny environments, they can be burned. This plant turns redder the more sun it gets (just like humans). To fix this, just move your plant a bit further back in the room.
• Etiolated (leggy): Being etiolated happens if the plant doesn’t get enough sun. The stems will grow really long trying to reach the sun. Move your Pachyphytum closer to the window.

Pachyphytum viride Toxicity

Pachyphytum Viride are typically not toxic to touch or consume, however some people may experience allergic reactions.

Even though this succulent is non-toxic to humans and pets, it’s still discourage pets or children from chewing on the leaves, as it can lead to an upset stomach.

Overall, Pachyphytum viride Walther is regarded as a pet- and family-friendly succulent that can be enjoyed without significant safety concerns.

Pachyphytum Viride Quick Care Guide

References
Below is a list of external sources I consulted while writing this post. This post is a mixture of my own experiences, and the external sources listed below:
https://worldofsucculents.com/how-to-grow-and-care-for-pachyphytum/
https://worldofsucculents.com/pachyphytum-viride/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crassulaceae
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachyphytum