White Peony is a succulent plant in the Crassulaceae family.

Habits of White Peony

White Peony is an intergeneric hybrid between Echeveria and Graptopetalum. It prefers a sunny environment, is not cold-tolerant, and is tolerant of drought and partial shade.

The suitable growing temperature is 20-25°C, and the growing season is summer. In spring and autumn, watering should be done once a week.

For home care, propagation is done by sowing and cuttings. Common pests and diseases include: rust disease and scale insects.

Care Tips for White Peony

Soil: Repot once every two years, in spring. Use a mix of peat soil, potting soil and coarse sand, with a small amount of bone meal added. Keep the potting soil dry. When repotting, the dead old roots can be trimmed off.

Watering: Water moderately in spring and summer, and control watering in autumn and winter. Because the plant has a high internal water content, White Peony rots easily in overly humid environments, so be sure not to overwater. It is best to choose a pot with drainage holes at the bottom. Beginners can use a breathable red clay pot; glass containers absorb heat and have poor breathability, so use them with caution!

Fertilizing: Fertilize once every 2 months during the summer growing season. Use a light fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus and potassium. Do not fertilize too much, otherwise the plant will become leggy and the leaf color will not turn red.

Light: The more sufficient the light and the greater the temperature difference between day and night, the more vivid the leaf color. When temperature permits, it is best to place it outdoors for care to ensure sufficient light. When light is insufficient or soil moisture is excessive, it will become leggy, the whole plant will appear light green or dark green, the leaves will be sparse and the spacing will stretch, accelerating upward growth, seriously affecting its ornamental value, and it may even die because the plant's photosynthesis is hindered.

Propagation Methods for White Peony

Leaf cuttings: Lay a complete mature leaf flat on moist sandy soil, with the leaf surface facing up and the back facing down. There is no need to cover it with soil. Place it in a cool place. After about 10 days, small leaf clusters and new roots will grow from the base of the leaf. Bury the root system into the soil, then let it get more sunlight and water it appropriately. Gradually, it will grow into a vigorous new plant.

Cuttings: Use tiller branchesor top branches. The length of the cut cuttings is not limited, but after the cut surface dries, remove the lower leaves and insert them into a sand bed to avoid excessive water evaporation. After insertion, roots generally form in about 20 days, and watering can begin after rooting; before rooting, it is normal for the bottom leaves to dry up and shrink. Once the root system is well developed and water absorption is sufficient, it will naturally recover. The soil must not be too wet, otherwise the cut surface is prone to yellowing and rotting. When the roots are 2-3 cm long, the plant can be repotted. Division is best done in spring.