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.
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