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Kalanchoe

Previously known as:

  • Bryophyllum
  • Vereia
Phonetic Spelling
ka-lan-KOH-ee
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Kalanchoe is a genus of tropical, perennial succulents native to Africa and Asia. It is a member of the stonecrop or orpine family (Crassulaceae) and has 174 accepted species. It is prized for its long-lasting, colorful, showy flowers and interesting, succulent foliage. Toothed succulent leaves, thick branched stems, and cymose inflorescences are key ID features. The genus name, Kalanchoe, is derived from the Chinese words kalan chau, meaning "that which falls and grows." This references the species such as Kalanchoe daigremontiana that have leaves that produce plantlets that drop off and produce new plants where they land.  

Outside of the tropics, this plant prefers interior sites with bright indirect sunlight, dry soil, and low relative humidity. Water these plants well and then allow the soil to dry out between waterings. These plants are winter hardy in zones 9 to 12. They prefer temperatures between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be planted in a container and brought indoors over the winter before the temperatures drop below 50 degrees F. They are also grown as a specialty desert-type plant and for temporary color. Being a succulent, they are drought tolerant once established. Plants of this genus may be propagated by division, offsets, stem cuttings, or leaf cuttings. 

Kalanchoe plants may be compact, bushy, trailing, erect, shrub-like or tree-like. Their size varies depending on the species. Most species range between 6 inches to 2 feet tall and equally as wide, but some grow up to 3-4 feet tall. Their leaves are fleshy and thick which allows them to store water. The flowers can appear in clusters or single blooms depending on the species. The bloom color is vibrant and the shades vary from red, orange, yellow, pink, or white. To encourage blooming, these plants need 12 hours of darkness and less than 12 hours of daylight for 6 weeks. Some species of Kalanchoe are viviparous and produce plantlets at leaf edges.

This genus of plants are often used as ornamental plants in rock gardens, containers, or houseplants. The foliage is unique and will add color and texture to your landscape or houseplant collection.

  • 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:  Monitor for mealybugs, aphids and brown scale. Root rot can result from overwatering. Powdery mildew can also occur.

The plants in this genus are toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Keep these plants out of reach of children and pets. Wear protective gloves when handling these plants to prevent contact dermatitis.

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:
Kalanchoe beharensis (Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Christmas Kalanchoe or Florist Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe bracteata (Silver Teaspoons), Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mother of Thousands), Kalanchoe delagoensis (Mother of Millions or Chandelier Plant), Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant), Kalanchoe marmorata (Penwiper Plant or Spotted Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe marnieriana (Marnier's Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
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#problem for children#tropical feel#container plant#poisonous if ingested#hsc#hsc-s#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Kalanchoe beharensis (Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Christmas Kalanchoe or Florist Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe bracteata (Silver Teaspoons), Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mother of Thousands), Kalanchoe delagoensis (Mother of Millions or Chandelier Plant), Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant), Kalanchoe marmorata (Penwiper Plant or Spotted Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe marnieriana (Marnier's Kalanchoe), Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
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#problem for children#tropical feel#container plant#poisonous if ingested#hsc#hsc-s#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Kalanchoe
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Several species are used in medicine to treat inflammatory conditions wounds, gastric ulcers and other diseases.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa, Asia
    Distribution:
    Native: Anola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Camboid, Cameroon, Cape Provinces, Central African Republic, China, Congo, East Himalaya, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tibet, Uganda, Vietnam, West Himalaya, Yemen, Zambia, Zaire, and Zimbabwe. Introduced: Argentina Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Borneo, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, New South Wales, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Queensland, South Australia, Venezuela, Western Australia, and the United States--AL, Fl, HI, and TX.
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts bees and butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 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 Bloom Time:
    Summer
    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:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Smooth
    Velvety
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    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
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Frequent Insect Problems
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    If ingested, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Bufodienolides
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems