The paddle plant, Kalanchoe luciae, has yellow blooms that bloom in late winter to early spring. It is an evergreen plant.
Watering
“A succulent’s typical watering requirements apply to Paddle Plant. You should utilize the “Use the “soak and dry” method, letting the soil to dry out in between waterings.
Additionally, make sure to get our FREE watering cheat sheet to learn how to determine whether your succulents are receiving too much water (and how to save them if needed).
Where to Plant
It is preferable to grow Kalanchoe luciae in a container that can be moved indoors if you live in a region that has temperatures below 20 F (-6.7 C). It thrives in full to some sun. Plants should be placed in a garden area with six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Often Mistaken For
Thyrsiflora kalanchoe Despite their near resemblance, these two succulents differ in key ways. Kalanchoe luciae becomes more red under stress, whilst Kalanchoe thyrsiflora becomes more of a pale green color.
Leaves
Gently twist the leaf away from the stem while removing it for propagation. Make sure the leaf you receive is a “clean pull” and that no leaf tissue was left on the stalk. Your chances of a successful propagation will increase as a result.
Before planting the leaf on drained soil, give it a day or two to callus over.
Cuttings
Use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors to cultivate Kalanchoe luciae “Flapjack from cuttings. Take a leaf off the main plant, let it calluse for a few days, and then place it on some soil that drains properly. When the soil is fully dry, add water.
Offsets
Small offsets will be produced by Flapjack. Utilize a clean, sharp pair of scissors or a knife to separate the offsets from the primary stem. Before laying the offsets on well-draining soil, give them one to two days to dry.
How are Kalanchoes divided?
The kalanchoes that have numerous stems are the most straightforward to separate. One of the species is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana. This species, which is well-known for its umbrella-shaped flower clusters, can survive in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. As long as you can figure out a good way to divide the plant into roughly equal pieces, division is not an issue because all kalanchoes root quite readily. To divide it, take it out of the pot or from the ground, and then gently pluck or cut it apart where there are any noticeable natural divides, like between stems. Try to avoid damaging the roots.
Are flapjack plants contagious?
These plants are monocarpic (only flower once), however they are simple to grow from seed. Healthy, mature specimens develop quickly and easily create new offsets.
How frequently should a flapjack plant be watered?
Every time the top 2 or 3 (57.5 cm) of the soil are entirely dry, water a paddle plant succulent. A flapjack succulent may only require watering every two weeks during the summer. Water it sparingly or not at all during the winter.
Succulents known as paddle plants can withstand droughts. Therefore, it is usually preferable to submerge them rather than water them excessively.
Allowing soil dryness to determine whether to water the succulent is the best advice for watering paddle plants. This is simply a basic guidance, even though it is advised to do it every two weeks. For instance, how frequently to water a paddle plant can vary depending on temperature, container type, potting soil, and sunlight.
Put your finger 2 (5 cm) into the soil before watering. Watering the plant is necessary if the potting soil is completely dry.
Here are some helpful hints for feeding succulent paddle plants:
- Every time the soil is dry, wet it thoroughly and allow the extra water to drain.
- Succulents should always be watered with filtered, room-temperature water.
- To avoid fungal concerns, refrain from sprinkling water on the leaves.
- Never drown a paddle plant.
Flapjack plants: do they require sunlight?
The family of stonecrops includes a very large genus of different plants called Kalanchoe (Crassulaceae). While many plants are grown for their flowers, “flapjacks”—which is sometimes referred to as a cultivar and other times as a common name—is treasured for its foliage. With its huge, meaty paddle-shaped leaves, it adds strong texture and architectural interest.
The two highly similar species, both native to South Africa, go by the same popular name—which alludes to the leaves that stack one on top of the other like pancakes—and are frequently mistaken in the horticulture industry. Before they bloom, it might be challenging to tell the two plants apart because their look varies according to the growing conditions. The majority of plants that go by the name K. thyrsiflora—a rather uncommon species with lighter, smaller leaves—actually belong to the K. luciae family. Dog tongue, desert cabbage, and paddle plant are some other common names for this plant.
Flapjacks is a succulent that can withstand drought. The plant’s basal rosette typically reaches heights of 12 to 18 inches and widths of 6 to 8 inches. The opposing leaves are held erect like clam shells and lack petioles, exposing only their narrow edges to the midday sun. The 4-6 long, smooth, grayish-green, obovate leaves have blunt, rounded tips and are covered in a powdery bloom that ranges in color from white to grey, which helps shield the leaves from sunlight.
The leaves of K. thyrsiflora are smaller, somewhat cupped, and consistently chalky green or white. They are also covered in a thick layer of wax that resembles flour, and they hardly ever display red or pink colouring. With more pronounced color in more sunshine, the leaves of K. luciae have less bloom and develop blushing pink to deep red edges. A form of variegated with pink, green, and white patterning is called “Tricolor.” The variegated variety “Fantastic” loses color when grown in direct sunlight.
Flapjacks bloom in late winter or early spring if given ample light and protection over the winter. The center of the rosette produces a tall, spindly flower spike that is between three and six feet tall. The narrow, urn-shaped, greenish waxy flowers with recurved lobes are held close to the stalk in dense clusters on the erect terminal inflorescence. The four petals of K. thrysiflora are bright yellow with widely obovate lobes, whereas the four petals of K. luciae are bright yellow with lanceolate corolla lobes. Compared to K. luciae, K. thrysiflora has flowers that are strongly aromatic. Although the plant typically develops some offsets, either at the base or on the lower section of the flower stalk, monocarpic plants are monocarpic and die after flowering.
Use flapjacks in large quantities or as an accent plant. It can be used in larger mixed pots, dish gardens, hanging baskets, or even the front of a bed or border as a seasonal plant in the Midwest. It can also be planted in the ground as a seasonal plant in the region. It pairs nicely with other succulent plants, such as miniature agaves, aloes, prickly terrestrial bromeliads, and echiverias, as well as with other low-water-demanding plants.
Both require the same level of care regardless of the species. Flapjacks should be grown in a sunny, well-drained area. Too much shadow will make plants spindly and prevent K. luciae from producing red margins on its leaves. Use a gravel mulch in place of an organic mulch that will retain moisture or leave the soil surrounding the plant exposed. If the soil is dry, water it; do not overwater. It is highly adapted to container growing, making it simpler to take indoors to maintain during the winter in the Midwest.
Outside of zones 9–10, it is preferable to bring the plants indoors when frost is imminent even though they can withstand temperatures as low as the mid-20soF. (unless grown as a seasonal annual that is not intended to survive the winter). If storing during the winter, water sparingly inside to avoid rotting and wait to fertilize until growth picks back up in the spring.
Flapjacks can be grown from seed, although it is usually propagated through offsets after the plant blooms or by re-rooting a single leaf.
University of Wisconsin-Madison student Susan Mahr
What can you do with a kalanchoe plant that is lanky?
One of the main causes of a Kalanchoe plant’s lanky appearance and excessive growth is that it is not getting enough sunlight to support healthy growth. Etiolation is the term for this action. This is a typical problem with indoor succulents like Kalanchoe plants. The Kalanchoe plant will start to strive for the sun, looking lanky and a little scraggly.
If you want the Kalanchoe plant to stop reaching for the sun, move it to a location with more natural light. The plant may appear “fuller” as a result of this contributing to the development of healthier buds and blooms.
If your kalanchoe appears leggy while receiving enough of sunshine, the leggy appearance may be the result of an excessive number of dead blossoms. The Kalanchoe plant may stop growing in a healthy way if dead flower branches are still linked to it. From the plant’s crown downward, prune the kalanchoe to remove any branches, blooms, or leaves that are dead. This enables the plant to concentrate its resources on strong, fresh growth.
When your Kalanchoe plant starts to seem a little lanky, check the moisture level in the soil. Test the soil with your finger every few days; when it has completely dried, you can water it again. Both root rot and wilting, which both hinder healthy growth, can be caused by either overwatering or underwatering.
My flapjack plant is drooping; why?
Hello, I have this gorgeous succulent. It has flat, bluish paddle-shaped leaves that are covered in a white powdery material.
It has been producing new growth (pups), which I replanted, and they are flourishing.
The lowest leaves also droop. I initially believed I had overwatered, but the leaves are in fact not at all mushy. Does the droopiness seem typical or is there something wrong?
These photos show the mother plant (the main stem is being held erect by a chopstick), the top of the mother plant, and a baby plant that I repotted.
Hello, Leslie Ann The Flapjacks Plant is shown here; learn more about it here: Thyrsiflora kalanchoe If you’re concerned that you’re overwatering these plants, you definitely are because they are quite drought tolerant. Give it a nice sip, and after that, allow them to almost completely dry off. They prefer to be watered in this way, and if the soil is left too wet, they will complain and, in some circumstances, perish from waterlogged roots.
Lack of light is most likely to blame for the drooping leaves; this, together with the leaves’ pallid tone, indicate that the plant needs brighter, more intense light; yet, they can tolerate full sun, which gives the foliage a lovely reddish pink.
You should be cautious when exposing them to full sun since if you do so too soon, the leaves may become sunburned. Instead, gradually adapt them to a brighter environment by adding a half hour here and there each day until they have completely hardened off in a week or two.
Size & Growth
The height and spread of paddle plants can reach 12 to 30 inches and 18 inches, respectively.
A basal rosette is formed by the round, big, meaty, stalkless leaves that are grayish green in hue with red borders.
NOTE:Kalanchoe tetraphylla and Kalanchoe luciae are two Kalanchoe species that look extremely similar. K. luciae and Thyrsiflora are frequently mistaken.
The foliage develops in a rosette of large, oval, flat, stemless leaves stacked on top of one another, resembling red pancakes.
The surface of the leaves has a white powdered coating when growing in protected regions, which is readily wiped off.
When there is enough sunlight, the leaf edges rise upward to capture the sun and turn bright crimson.
This explains why the plant goes by the common name Flapjacks, which also happens to be the name of one of its cultivars.
Kalanchoe Thyrsiflora Plant Flowers & Fragrance
It will be worthwhile to wait for the lush, attractive, lemon-yellow flowers that are encircled by red-edged leaves.
The 18-inch spike on which the flowers are grown is particularly alluring to bees and other pollinators.
After flowering, the monocarpic paddle plant parent plant will wither and die; however, you should keep it in its current location or pot and only remove the dead foliage and flower stem. Soon, offsets will emerge to take its place.
Light & Temperature
Flapjack plants thrive in either full or partial sunlight. If a plant is exposed to direct sunlight, its green leaves will turn crimson.
Provide plenty of strong indirect light when kept as a houseplant, but stay away from direct sunlight coming through a glass window. The plant may burn as a result.
These plants do best in wintertime temperatures of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant can withstand temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season.
In USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12, the succulent Paddle Plant can withstand the winter.
Flapjack Succulent Watering & Feeding
Paddle Plant tolerates droughts well and has a moderate water need. Similar to the majority of succulents, overwatering can have disastrous effects.
When the soil is entirely dry throughout the growing season, water deeply. Use little water during the winter.
You could choose to provide a mild solution of a cactus or succulent fertilizer during the growing season (spring through summer). In the fall and winter, avoid fertilizing.
Soil & Transplanting
The Flapjacks plant thrives on a standard gritty, well-drained succulent potting soil.
Although it can thrive in a neutral pH range of 6.6 to 7.3, it favors potting mix that is slightly acidic with a pH value of 6.1 to 6.5.
Repotting on a regular basis is not advised. Like the majority of succulents, kalanchoe thrives when somewhat rootbound.
Does Flapjack Plant Care Require Grooming & Maintenance?
The flapjack plant doesn’t need much upkeep or grooming. Simply remove any dead or withered leaves, and after the plant has finished flowering, tidy up the plant by removing withered flower stems.