Kalanchoe

( kal - AN - koh - ee )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus is filled with succulent perennials that need full sun to partial shade and moderate to regular water. Species have fleshy green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that come in many colors. They are typically used as houseplants, but can also be planted outdoors in warmer regions.

Kalanchoe Species and Varietals

The genus Kalanchoe is a member of the plant family Crassulaceae, and includes approximately 125 distinct species. It was first described by French botanist Michel Adanson in 1763, and has since absorbed genera Bryophyllum and Kitchingia. Kalanchoe growing zones vary depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Kalanchoe beauverdii (Beauverd's Widow's-Thrill)
This species of succulent plants is native to Madagascar and Comoros. It was first described and formally named by Raymondl Hamet in the year 1907, and forms a perennial plant that grows to reach between 10 and 16 feet tall when mature. Flowers are bell-shaped and about the same color as the foliage, which ranges from green to brownish-maroon to red.

Kalanchoe beharensis (Felt Plant, Elephant's Ear Kalanchoe, Felt Bush, Velvet Leaf, Mongy, Tavitavy)
This species grows best in zones 13, 21-24, H1 and H2. Stems reach 4-5 feet tall on this narrow plant (just 1-2 feet wide). Leaves are crimped at the edges, and are blue-green. There are other varieties that have differing leaf color. Flowers are not showy. They are great for rock gardens and raised planter beds, and are native to Madagascar.

Kalanchoe biossfeldiana (Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, Madagascar Widow's-Thrill)
These plants grow best in zones 17, 21-24, H1 and H2. It reaches 1.5 feet tall and wide, with shiny, red-edged leaves that can be either wavy or flat. Small flowers are held in clusters and come in red, yellow, orange, and salmon. It blooms in spring and winter, and is a popular plant gifted for the Holiday Season.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Bryophyllum daigremontianum) (Mother of Thousands, Alligator Plant, Mexican Hat Plant)
This succulent perennial plant is native to Madagascar, and propagates readily though plantlets that develop on roots and leaf margins. Leaves have bands or spots on their backs, and plants reach up to over three feet tall when mature. These plants are considered invasive in arid and semi-arid environments such as South Africa and areas in South America. Flowers are pink to red in color.

Kalanchoe delagoensis (Bryophyllum delagoense) (Mother of Millions, Chandelier Plant)
​These succulents are native to Madagascar, and propagate readily though plantlets that develop on roots and leaf margins. Upright stems are simple and round, and leaf blades are green to grey green, mottled with reddish-brown markings. Flowers are red-green and striped with red, with fused petals that create a bell shape. It is considered an invasive species in Australia, South Africa, and many of the Pacific Islands.

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi (Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi)
This native of Madagascar grows well in zones 13, 17, 21-24, H1 and H2. Leaves are grey-green and flowers are a dusty red color and bloom in late springtime. These plants create colonies through their spreading roots. Cultivar 'Variegata' has creamy-edged leaves. 

Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri (Palm Beachbells, Donkey Ear Plant)
These plants produce foliage that resembles a Donkey's Ear, hence their common name. Leaves are thick and light green, pointed at the tips, and are typically marked or mottled with dark reddish-brown. Plantlets often form at leaf tips.

Kalanchoe laetivirens
This species is very common in form and size to Kalanchoe daigremontiana, which is differentiated by the spots on the backs of folaige. The leaves of this species are completely green, and form plantlets along their margins. 

Kalanchoe longiflora (Tugela Cliff-Kalanchoe, Long-Flower Kalanchoe)
This native of South Africa is cultivated for its multi-colored foliage as well as its showy yellow flowers, which bloom from autumn into winter in the plant's native range. These plants are typically seen growing on rock edges and shale slopes, and are considered rare and vulnerable to extinction in their natural range due to overharvesting and habitat loss. They are both heat and drought-tolerant plants, and have fibrous roots. Individual plants form subshrubs that reach up to a bit over a foot tall.

Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant, Flapjacks)
Native to southeastern Africa, this succulent is grown best in zones 13, 17, 21-24, H1 and H2. It is considered a sculptural plant that grows to 1-1.5 feet tall and wide, spreading by offsets. Leaves are gray-green and ovular, with margins that turn bright red in full sun. A single 2-3 foot tall stem produces flowers in winter or early spring and holds clusters of long dark yellow fragrant flowers, This species needs protection from snails and slugs. A popular selection is 'Fantastic' (or Kalanchoe thyrsiflora 'Fantastic'), with grey-green leaves that have a cream variegation and red-shaded leaf margins.

Kalanchoe manginii (Beach Bells)
These evergreen succulent perennial plants reach up to a foot tall and wide, and produce small green leaves and bright salmon-colored to carmine red bell-shaped flowers. In most temperate regions of the world it is grown as a houseplant, as it can only tolerate temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kalanchoe marmorata (Penwiper)
Native to central and eastern areas of Africa, this species forms an erect or decumbent succulent perennial that reaches up to 16 inches tall and wide. Foliage is green to grey-green, sometimes tinged with pink, and often with dark red mottling. Flowers are white (sometimes pinkish), and bloom in springtime. Hardy to 54 degrees Fahrenheit, this species is typically grown as a houseplant in temperate regions.

Kalanchoe orgyalis (Copper Spoons)
This succulent is endemic to southern and southwestern Madagascar, where it typically grows between vegetation on rocky outcroppings and dry soils. It forms a heavily branched shrub to between 3 and 7 feet tall when mature, and produces copper-orange new foliage that matures to a maroon-green color. Flowers are yellow.

Kalanchoe pinnata (Cathedral Bells, Air Plant, Life Plant, Miracle Leaf, Goethe Plant, Love Bush)
This Madagascar native species is a popular houseplant, and has become naturalized in many tropical and subtropical areas around the globe. It reaches up to 40 inches tall, with fleshy cylindrical stems and reddish young foliage. Hardy down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kalanchoe pumila (Flower Dust Plant)
This species grows best in zones 13, 17, 21-24, H1 and H2 and is a native of Madagascar. It has a mounding, trailing habit and grows to 1 foot tall and 2 feet wide. Leaves are grayish green and covered with a white powder, edges are lightly tinged pink. Winter blooms are pink with yellow anthers. This species can tolerate shade as well as drought, and is lovely in hanging baskets.

Kalanchoe rhombopilosa (Pies From Heaven)
This species is native to a small area in southwest Itampolo, Madagascar. It is an herbaceous, somewhat succulent perennial plant with grey-green to pinkish foliage mottled with reddish markings. Individual plants reach up to between 4 and 8 inches tall when mature.

Kalanchoe sexangularis (Bushveld Kalanchoe, Six-Angled Kalanchoe, Red-Leaved Kalanchoe)
This species is native to southern Africa, and reaches between 8 and 40 inches tall when mature. Shoots arise from a woody base, and produce fleshy leaves that are green to reddish with scalloped margins. They bloom in wintertime in their native range, and have green-yellow to bright yellow flowers.

Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (Paddle Plant, Flapjacks, Desert Cabbage, White Lady, Geelplakkie, Meelplakkie, Plakkie)
This succulent grows best in zones 13, 17, 21-24, H1 and H2, and is native to South Africa's southeastern coastline. Gets 18 inches tall with fragrant dark yellow flowers. Chalky green leaves have no red or pink flush to them, unlike most other species in the genus.

Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant, Pussy Ears)
This plant grows well in zones 13, 23, 24 and H2. It has a branching habit that reaches 3 feet tall and 8 inches wide. Leaves are coated in felt-like white hairs and tips and notches are marked with a dark brown color. Flowers are yellow-green and bloom in spring. Popularly grown cultivars include 'Chocolate Soldier', 'Golden Girl', 'Black Tie', and 'Teddy Bear'.

Caring for Kalanchoe

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Kalanchoe
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 390 - 391, Kalanchoe
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