One of the first plants brought into space in the 70’s, the Kalanchoe is literally out of this world! Native to parts of Africa and Asia, Kalanchoes belong to the crassula family and appreciate the same care as most succulents. While there are many varieties, they are usually characterized by unique scalloped leaves and bright flowers. Bright, direct sunlight and infrequent watering is your ticket to a happy Kalanchoe. Little humidity is required for these self-sufficient succulents, so put that mister away! If you get your kalanchoe to flower, back off on watering significantly for a few weeks to give it a brief resting period to focus on blooming.
Mother of thousands (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) is a striking variety found in Madagascar, sporting upright, triangular leaves lined with tiny leaflets. These little plantlets are how the mother plant reproduces. They develop their own roots and leaves, eventually dropping into the soil to sprout into new plants! They can handle intense heat and sunlight and often develop brown variegations in the form of spots on their large leaves.
The panda plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa) is a variety of Kalanchoe that is soft and compact, with a growth pattern similar to an echeveria. Tomentosa refers to the fuzzy coating of hairs on their leaves that provide shade and moisture retention, helping them survive dry, sunny conditions. They often develop red tips on their thick foliage that deepens with more light exposure.
Florist Kalanchoe (kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a charming variety characterised by glossy, scalloped leaves and pom poms of vibrant blooms. These make the perfect Christmas or Valentine’s gifts, as they are capable of flowering in the winter! To kickstart the blooming process, give them 10 hours of sunlight and 14 hours of darkness for 6-8 weeks.
