Plant DetailShow Menu

Kalanchoe

Phonetic Spelling
ka-lan-KOH-ee
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

A genus of tropical, perennial succulents native to Africa and Asia, with showy flowers in the Crassulaceae family. This plant can be grown as a shrub, herb, or climber. It is prized for its long-lasting colorful flowers and its interesting, succulent foliage. Toothed succulent leaves, thick branched stems, and cymose inflorescences are key ID features.

Some species of Kalanchoe are viviparous and produce plantlets at leaf edges. Outside of the tropics, this plant prefers interior sites with high light, dry soil, and low relative humidity. They can be planted in a container that is brought in over the winter. They are also grown as a specialty desert-type plant and for temporary color. Being a succulent, they tolerate drought well once established. This plant has pest and disease problems.

K. tomentosa, related to Kalanchoe, has oblong, fuzzy, silver leaves tipped in red-brown and rarely yellow-green flowers. Also related, K. blossfeldiana has glossy green, oblong-ovate leaves with showy clusters or red, orange, pink, or yellow flowers.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are succulent, flattened, and toothed
  • Flowers are salverform, have 4 petals, and are in cymes to umbels
  • Flowers are sticky

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur with overwatering. Powdery mildew can occur. Mealy bugs, aphids and brown scale are the most common insect pests 

VIDEO Created by Laura Barth 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:
K. bracteata, K. delagoensis
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#yellow flowers#orange flowers#interiorscape#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#fantz#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#tropical feel#container plant#hsc#hsc-s#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
K. bracteata, K. delagoensis
Tags:
#purple#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#purple flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#yellow flowers#orange flowers#interiorscape#herbaceous perennial#rock garden#fantz#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#tropical feel#container plant#hsc#hsc-s#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Kalanchoe
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa, Asia
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
  • 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
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Panicle
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are unscented, salverform (tubular), and fleshy. Corolla is 4-lobed and fleshy. Calyx is 4-lobed, fleshy, and small. Flowers have 8 stamens in 2 whorls of 4. They can be colored in ranges of red to yellow, pink to white and have a sticky gland. Some hang in a bell-like way. Inflorescence is a panicle of cymes or an umbel. Double-flowered cultivars are available.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Smooth
    Velvety
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are opposite, simple, fleshy, succulent, and flattened. Some species are toothed, others scalloped, others entire. They may be green or purple-grey with a waxy coating or even fuzzy depending on the species. Bright sunlight can sometimes change the leaf color. They are often viviparous and form plantlets at leaf edges. Variegated cultivars are available.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stems are fleshy and woody at the base.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm (rare).
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Bufodienolides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No