Graptoveria Olivia is a beautiful succulent with olive-green leaves and pink/red edges. It also gives off a bronze sheen. Its leaves grow in a rosette and its colors get more noticeable in bright light. It's easy to care for and stays compact. 

What Makes It Special?

Unlike succulents that naturally grow tall and leggy this succulent keeps a low rosette form. Mature rosettes can reach 6 inches across!

Key Facts

Scientific Name: ×Graptoveria ‘Olivia’
Common Name: Graptoveria ‘Olivia’
Family: Crassulaceae
Native Range: Cultivated hybrid created by Renee O’Connell; its exact parentage is unknown, but Graptopetalum and Echeveria are native to the Americas.
Growth Form: Low-growing, rosette-forming succulent reaching approximately 6 inches wide.
Common Use: Houseplants, container gardens, succulent arrangements and warm-climate landscapes.

How to Care for Graptoveria ‘Olivia’

Light

It loves bright light! A sunny windowsill, a grow light or an outdoor spot with morning sun can help keep its compact shape and bring out its pink leaf color.

Try to aim for 6–8 hours of bright light daily. Outdoors, morning sun with some protection from harsh afternoon sun especially in summer.

If your Olivia has been growing inside or has just arrived in its Succly box, slowly introduce it to stronger sunlight over one to two weeks. Sudden placement to direct sun can damage the leaves that haven’t had time to adjust.

Water

It stores water in its leaves and likes a good soak followed by a dry period.

When the soil has dried all the way through, water deeply until extra water drains from the bottom of the pot. Then let the soil to dry again before watering again.

Don’t rely on a strict weekly schedule. Temperature, sunlight, airflow, pot size and soil all affect how quickly your plant uses water.

You can also watch its leaves for clues. When the plant is thirsty, its leaves will feel slightly less firm or get wrinkles. Healthy hydrated leaves should feel plump and glossy.

Soil

It grows best in a gritty, well-draining succulent soil that lets water go through quickly while getting oxygen to its roots.

A great starting point for inside growing is 50% cactus and succulent soil mixed with 50% pumice or perlite. You can adjust the % depending on your growing conditions.

If your plant is indoors with no airflow more grit can help the soil dry faster. Outside plants in warm sunny spots can tolerate a more moisture-retentive mix.

Always use a pot with a drainage hole, and don't leave the plant sitting in water.

Temperature 

It does fine in warm conditions and can grow indoors or outdoors depending on your environment or season.

It grows best at 60–80°F, although it can tolerate temperatures outside that are higher when properly acclimated.

It is cold hardy to 30°F, but cold tolerance depends on soil moisture, how long its exposed and how established the plant is.

For the safest bring it inside or give it protection when freezing temperatures are coming.

Fertilizer

It doesn’t need much fertilizer to grow. Like most succulents, it can thrive with minimal fertilizer, especially when its growing in good potting soil.

If you’d like to use a little fertilizer for growth, use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to one-quarter strength during  its active growth in spring or summer.

Feeding once or twice during the growing season is enough. Do not fertilize when the plant is dormant, stressed or freshly repotted.

Blooming

It does grow flowers!

During spring and summer mature plants can grow flower stalks reaching approximately 10 inches tall! They are yellow star-shaped flowers and are have reddish tips.

Make sue to give it plenty of bright light to encourage flowers. Mature plants are more likely to flower.

Once the flowers have finished and the stalk has dried, you can trim it near the base without damaging the surrounding leaves.

Pet Safety

Many Echeveria varieties are considered pet-friendly, but specific safety information for Graptoveria ‘Olivia’ is hard to find.

We recommend keeping your succulent somewhere curious pets won’t nibble on it. Even plants considered pet-friendly can cause mild digestive upset when eaten.

Humidity

It likes good airflow and doesn’t need more humidity.

No need to mist the leaves or keep the plant in humid containers where moisture can build up.

Propagation

Want more Olivia plants?!? It can be propagated from healthy leaves or stem cuttings.

Leaf Propagation

Gently remove a healthy, mature leaf by twisting it away from the stem and making sure the entire leaf base comes off clean. 

Let the end dry and callus for a few days, then put the leaf on top of a well-draining succulent mix and put it in bright, indirect light.

Small roots and a tiny new rosette will grow. Not every leaf will successfully propagate, so patience is important!

Stem Cuttings

If your Olivia becomes long and has lots of space from it streching, you can take a stem cutting using clean scissors or pruning shears.

Let the cut end callus for several days before placing it into dry, well-draining soil.

Keep it in bright, indirect light while new roots develop and don't saturate the soil before the cutting has new roots.

Troubleshooting

Even easygoing succulents occasionally need a little adjustment. Here are some common signs to watch for.

1. My  Olivia Is Stretching or Losing Its Compact Shape

It may not be receiving enough light. When succulents search for more sunlight, they can grow taller with bigger spaces between then leaves.

Slowly move it into a brighter spot or use a grow light. Existing stretched growth won’t become compact again but the new growth should come in closer together.

2. The Pink Edges Are Fading

Those pink edges are often more noticeable when it gets sufficient light.

If the plant is healthy but looking  more green, it might just need more light. Seasonal changes can also affect its look.

3. The Bottom Leaves Are Shriveling

A few dried lower leaves are a normal part of succulent growth. 

If several leaves are wrinkling and drying all at once, check the soil and roots. Your plant may be thirsty, especially if the soil is completely dry.

4. The Leaves Are Turning Yellow or Becoming Mushy

Soft, translucent or mushy leaves can mean that the roots have stayed wet for too long.

Check your soil and check out the roots if the problem continues. Be sure your letting your soil dry between waterings to let those roots breathe.

5. Brown or Tan Spots Are Appearing on the Leaves

Small marks can come from handling, physical damage or previous environmental stress. 

Bigger bleached or dry crispy spots can mean sunburn, especially after being exposed to direct sunlight.

If the spots are dry and aren’t spreading just watching the new growth. Healthy new leaves are usually a good sign that its improving.

6. My Olivia Isn’t Flowering

Don’t worry! Flowering really depends on maturity, light, season and the plant’s overall health.

Make sure it has bright light and give your succulent time to establish itself. Some plants flower really easily while others take longer.

Why We Picked This Plant

It's December when we added this to our shop so its olive green leaves and pink (they also look red) leaves  remind us of the season. 

It’s also a great succulent for new succulent parents and experienced collectors. 

Snap a pic, tag @Succly and show us where your Olivia lives. Bonus points if it’s in bloom or has pink edges! 🌼

Keep Learning About Succulent Care

New to succulents or want to learn even more? These guides will help you grow healthier, happier plants.

Watering Succulents

Learn why overwatering isn’t about how often you water, but how long the soil stays wet.

→ Read our Watering Guide 

Find the Right Succulent Soil

There isn’t one “perfect” succulent soil. Discover how to choose or mix the best soil for your growing environment.

→ Read our Succulent Soil Guide 

Succulent Care 101

Everything you need to know about light, watering, repotting, dormancy, and keeping your succulents thriving.

→ Read Succulent Care 101