Devils Backbone Kalanchoe
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-lan-KOH-ee
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- K. bracteata, K. delagoensis
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Kalanchoe
- Family:
- Crassulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa, Asia
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- 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
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are fleshy and woody at the base.
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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
