Looking at Plants

Kalanchoe bracteata

COMMON NAMES

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe (kal-lan-KOE-ee) - a derivation of a Chinese name of one species of this succulent

bracteata (brak-tee-AY-tuh) – having bracts

GROUP 

Dicot

FAMILY 

Crassulaceae

ORIGIN

Madagascar

DESCRIPTION

Kalanchoe bracteata is an herbaceous perennial that averages 2 to 4 feet in height with a 2 to 3 foot spread. It has an upright form. It has a moderate growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, succulent, opposite in arrangement, simple with entire margins, pubescent,  ovate-shaped, 1 to 2 inches long with a cuspidate tip, and silvery gray in color.

It has reddish aerial roots.

The reddish/orange flowers are borne in branched terminal inflorescences. The primary bloom period is summer.

Fruit are follicles.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 11, down to about 27 to 28 degrees F. It is often grown as a potted plant in any zone. Newer leaves can be damaged by frost.

LIGHT

Full sun to part shade; bright light if grown indoors

SALT

Moderate Salt Spray Tolerance – it will tolerate some spray, but it is best to have more protection such as a fence or building as an additional barrier behind the first row of plantings or the first dunes.

SOIL

It will grow on a wide variety of well-drained soils in the pH range of 5.8 to 6.5.

WATERING

It has good drought tolerance once established, so minimal watering is needed for survival in dry spells. As with most plants, though, ample irrigation in droughts keeps it healthier and looking better.

PROPAGATION

Leaf, stem, and tip cuttings; layering

PRUNING

Pinch stems occasionally to keep compact. It will often get leggy as it ages.

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work. It generally has low fertilizer requirements.

PESTS

Mealybugs - University of California

Spider Mites - University of California 

Aphids - University of California

DISEASES

Botrytis Blight - Missouri Botanical Gardens

Phytophthora Stem Rot - University of California 

Downy Mildew - Purdue University

Black Root Rot - Cornell University 

Bacterial Leaf Blight - University of Hawaii

DEER

Resistant

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Containers, xeriscaping, mixed plantings

TOXICITY

California Poison Control lists Kalanchoe spp.as non-toxic.

University of Wisconsin lists Kalanchoe as non-toxic.

The Cat Fancier’s Association lists Kalanchoe as toxic to cats.

Merck Vet Manual has Kalanchoe spp. on its poisonous plants list.

ASPCA lists Kalanchoe spp. as toxic to dogs and cats.