Kalanchoes are lovely soft succulents that are easy to grow and have stunning blossoms. Kalanchoe (kah-lahn-KOH-ee) is a diverse genus, therefore to help you understand it, I’ve classified it into six categories:
Fuzzies
These short-haired plants are given charming names like “panda plant.” Gray with brown accents. The majority of the plants are in pots, although there is one tree: Kalanchoe beharensis. Fuzzy Kalanchoes: Varieties, Uses, and Tips can be found in the article Fuzzy Kalanchoes: Varieties, Uses, and Tips.
Floriferous
Calandivas and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are bred for their bright or pastel flower clusters. These are sold and seen all over the place, including at the most recent wedding reception you attended. Spreaders with pastel leaves and masses of coral blooms, such as Kalanchoe fedschenkoi, are included.
Tropical
Kalanchoe marmorata, Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, and Kalanchoe prolifera are large, thin-leaved plants that are particularly sensitive to climate and sun exposure (box bloom). Kalanchoe synsepala is a tropical plant. Arboreal succulents with arrowhead or enlongated-oval leaves that produce baby plants at the tips of flower stems are known as “walking kalanchoes.”
Rarities
Kalanchoe humilis and Kalanchoe rhombopilosa are heartbreakers (beautiful but difficult to cultivate plants). Vining kalanchoes with grappling hook-like leaves are also uncommon but rather easy to grow.
Kalanchoe Care
Kalanchoes, which are native to Madagascar off the coast of South Africa, grow in moderate, summer-dry marine conditions. Most people can’t stand the cold or the heat of the desert.
Kalanchoes, like most soft succulents, require several hours of direct sunlight each day and bright shade for the rest of the day. On our site’s Succulent Care Basics page, you may learn more.
Plant in potting soil or cactus mix, and keep the soil moist enough to wring out a sponge. Snails can be seen on smooth-leaved types.
How many varieties of kalanchoe are there?
Kalanchoe (genus Kalanchoe) is a succulent plant genus with roughly 120 species in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). The majority of the species are native to Madagascar and tropical Africa, and several of them are well-known for their ease of cultivation inside. Kalanchoes are relatively low-maintenance houseplants, requiring only a little direct sunlight (though they will tolerate harsh indirect light) and watering only when completely dry. Leaf or stem cuttings can be used to reproduce all species.
How do you identify a kalanchoe?
Kalanchoes: How to Spot Them
- Take a look at the flower’s shape. Flowers with four petals and a yellow center are seen in the great majority of kalanchoe species.
- Take note of the flower hues. Kalanchoes come in a variety of colors, including cream, pink, orange, yellow, and red.
What is the difference between kalanchoe and Calandiva?
The number of petals on the flowers differs significantly between Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and Calandiva. Calandiva plants have 32 petals, but kalanchoe plants only have four.
How many colors of kalanchoe are there?
Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana) is a popular houseplant that is usually sold in the late winter and early spring. It’s a long-lasting flowering potted plant that requires very little care in the home or office. It has small, four-petaled flowers in clusters held above the foliage and dark green, thick waxy leaves with scalloped edges. It also comes in a double-flowering variant with up to 26 petals per bloom. Kalanchoe flowers come in a variety of colors, including red, magenta, pink, orange, yellow, and white. It is endemic to Madagascar and was introduced in 1932 by German hybridizer Robert Blossfeld.
Why is kalanchoe called Widow’s-thrill?
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is known by the common names Kalanchoe, Widow’s-thrill, and Flaming Katy, all of which are derived from its vivid and vibrant blooms.
Common Name(s)
Houghton’s Hybrid, Mother of Millions Hybrid, Mother of Thousands, Mother of Thousands ‘Houghtonii’, Alligator Plant, Houghton’s Hybrid, Mother of Thousands, Mother of Thousands ‘Houghtonii’, Devil’s Backbone, Mexican Hat Plant, Good Luck Plant
Description
Kalanchoe houghtonii is a monocarpic succulent that grows up to 30 inches (75 cm) tall with an erect, unbranched stem. Fleshy, boat-shaped leaves with serrated margins. They range in color from emerald green to brownish-green, with purple splotches on the underside. Plantlets are formed at the leaf’s edges. Fowers are drooping red, orange, or yellow-pink flowers that can grow up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in length.
Many succulent fans are unaware that this species is distinct from Kalanchoe ‘Pink Butterflies,’ which has plantlets that lack the chlorophyll needed to survive on their own.
Is there a white kalanchoe?
Kalanchoe Varieties Kalanchoe blossfeidiana is available in a variety of unidentified colors, including yellow, red, orange, pink, and white. They usually bloom in the spring when planted outside, but indoor plants can be coaxed into blooming almost all year.
Is kalanchoe a lucky plant?
- The plant’s stalk should be erect, and the blossoms should not be drooping. Choose one with abundant foliage and blooms, as well as no brown edges to its leaves and petals.
These pots are embellished with golden monkey figurines and plush toys. Fittonias and zamioculcas, sometimes known as the Gold Coin plant, are among the plants used in each pot, which are a mix of indoor and festive plants.
Spring is here, so let’s celebrate with some lovely sakura. This small bonsai would look great on a table. Unlike the typical blossoms on large trees, which are spread out, its pink flowers develop in clusters.
These orchids appear to be sprouting gold coins with their small yellow petals.
Daisies-like flowers bloom in an auspicious bright-orange hue on this plant. After nursery World Farm sold out of its 100 pots last year, the hot favorite, which is grown in Singapore, is returning with more pots for sale. There are now 500 pots available.
Far East Flora has brought in additional red cymbidiums, often known as boat orchids, this year. These flowers are prized for their enormous, exquisite blooms. It was given the Chinese name hong pao, which means red cracker, because of its color. Yellow cymbidiums, also known as huang jing, or yellow gold in Mandarin, have a similarly auspicious sounding name.
Monkey Cups is a common name for this tropical pitcher plant because monkeys have been witnessed drinking the liquid collected in the pitchers. Long cups have been compared to money bags (called qian dai in Mandarin). It is claimed that the more pitchers a plant has, the better its owner’s luck and fortune will be.
Candy Floriculture, 567 Thomson Road, tel: 6256-6788, and World Farm, 15 Bah Soon Pah Road, tel: 6257-4437, are the two locations.
This adorable cartoon monkey-shaped pot, which comes in a variety of colors, gets two thumbs up. Plants like pussy willows or phalaenopsis orchids can be used to fill it.
Chrysanthemums are an auspicious option for the season, with their vivid gold or purple hues. Longevity is associated with the plant, while gold flowers are associated with wealth and prosperity.
It thrives in shady or shaded regions away from the sun. Water the plant twice a day until the water runs clear from the bottom of the pot. Because the blossoms are delicate, avoid watering them directly.
The kalanchoe, also known as wan zi qian hong (literally, “thousands and millions of crimson and purple blossoms”), is a simple plant that is thought to bring wealth and success.
The succulent, which has clusters of flowers, does well indoors and enjoys indirect light. It only has to be watered once a week and should not be left in moist soil since its roots will decay. To keep pests at bay, use pesticides like cypermethrin or malathion on a regular basis.
The emerald green leaves of this South African native, also known as crassula, are in high demand because they approximate the shape of a jade stone. The plant is seen as a sign of good fortune, wealth, and prosperity. It only takes a small amount of moisture – every other day, water lightly. It should be placed in a semi-shaded region.
Pussy willows herald the arrival of spring. If it’s in a vase, this plant with hairy buds, also known as catkins, has to be watered twice a week. Water it twice a week if it’s in a pot. Fresh water prolongs the life of the plant and avoids mosquito breeding.
Because of the hot environment in Singapore, the plant may struggle to produce new shoots after it blooms. It’s preferable to put it somewhere shady.
This plant, also known as hu die lan in Mandarin, is a popular celebratory plant because its petals resemble butterfly wings, symbolizing happiness, spring, energy, and longevity.
Drink plenty of water twice a day. Overwatering causes flowers to discolor or become transparent. Stop watering for a few days or lower the amount of water used if this happens.
Once a week, apply phosphorus and potassium-rich fertilizers to the plant to maintain it healthy. Apply leafshine aerosols on the plant’s leaves to keep them shiny. Place these lovely blooms in a shady, cooler area to extend their lives.
The fortunate bamboo is the Chinese emblem for strength, bent, twisted, and twirled into many shapes such as the number eight. Red ribbons and auspicious decorations adorn the plant, and the quantity of bamboo stalks in each pot indicates different things. Two, for example, is seen to be a symbol of love, while seven is thought to be a symbol of good health.
It is a low-maintenance plant. Simply place the stems in clean, fresh water and secure them with pebbles. Every seven to ten days, change the water.
Gardenasia, World Farm, Far East Flora, and Sing See Soon Floral & Landscape are some of the sources.
Is a kalanchoe plant indoor or outdoor?
One of the more attractive flowering succulent houseplants, Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp. ), is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 to 12. If properly cared for, they can produce months of brilliant flowers when kept inside.
How do you keep Kalanchoe blooming?
You’ll need to plan ahead if you want your plant to bloom at a specified period, such as Christmas. Reduce watering and give the plant a 14-hour period of darkness every day for 6 weeks before the target bloom time. For 14 hours, place the plant in a closet or under a box with 10 hours of bright light.
Maintain a warm environment for the plant by keeping it free from drafts. Because the plant is dormant, do not water or feed it for 6 weeks. Move the plant to better lighting and begin watering as soon as you detect flower buds. To encourage new buds, feed the plant in the spring and remove wasted blossoms.
These plants are simple to maintain and produce beautiful, little flowers as well as thick, elegantly scalloped leaves for up to 6 months.