Kalanchoe delagoensis
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Bryophyllum tubiflorum
- Kalanchoe tubiflora
- Kalanchoe verticillata
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Mother of Millions is a succulent plant native to Madagascar and is often grown as a houseplant. It is one of a group of plants that reproduce asexually by producing plantlets at the margins of the leaves. These then fall to the ground and readily root and grow in just about anything. It has become invasive in some parts of the world. In addition to plantlets, it will also bloom occasionally in winter with a cluster of drooping tubular flowers at the tops of stems.
It is very easy to grow in potting soil appropriate for cacti and succulents, so long as it has enough organic matter, in a pot with several drainage holes. Allow the soil to dry between waterings and place in full sun to partial shade conditions. You may find this plant coming up in your other pots or even on the ground if taken outside in the summer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for mealybugs and aphids.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kalanchoe
- Species:
- delagoensis
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Madagascar
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits dry, indehiscent, papery follicles with numerous seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1-1.5 inch long tubular reddish to orange flowers with some yellow on the inside, bloom in a dangling cluster at the top of stems.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves mostly opposite or whorled in sets of three and evenly spaced. The petiole and blade are indistinguishable, reddish-green to gray-green with reddish-brown spots, narrowly oblong, subcylindric and grooved. 1-6 inches long by .1-.2 inches wide, margins entire except for 3-9 conic teeth at the apex. They are viviparous and form plantlets at the leaf edges.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect green stem with short sterile shoots at the base. Up to 3 feet tall.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
