Mother-In-Law-Plant Kalanchoe

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.