Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe luciae

Paddle Plant

Kalanchoe luciae is a succulent biennial from the seasonally dry grasslands and rocky slopes of southern Africa, storing water in its thick paddle-shaped leaves. Give it bright light or some direct sun and gritty, fast-draining mix, and water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely — when the top several centimetres are dry and the leaves are firm, not plump. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so err toward keeping it dry.

Kalanchoe pinnata

Cathedral Bells

Kalanchoe pinnata is a succulent subshrub from Madagascar and the Cook Islands, storing water in its fleshy leaves and rotting quickly if kept wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only when the top two inches of soil are fully dry. It tolerates dry household air and wants a bright spot, ideally with some direct sun once acclimated.

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Madagascar Widow's Thrill

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar, this Kalanchoe stores water in its thick leaves and is far more tolerant of drought than of standing moisture. Grow it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water only when the top two inches are fully dry, then soak and let it drain completely. It takes bright light and can tolerate some direct sun once acclimated, but soggy roots will rot it quickly.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Devil's Backbone

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar's arid country, this plant stores water in its fleshy leaves and rots if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and a bright spot with some direct sun, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely. Wait until the top several centimetres are bone dry — and the leaves begin to feel slightly soft — before watering again.

Kalanchoe delagoensis

Chandelier Plant

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar that stores water in its narrow, plantlet-bearing leaves and rots if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest spot you have, ideally some direct sun. Water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely, when the mix is dry several inches down and the leaves begin to feel slightly soft.

Kalanchoe laetivirens

Crenatodaigremontiana

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar that stores water in its fleshy leaves and resents sitting wet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water only when the top several inches have gone fully dry; it tolerates drought far better than excess moisture. It can take some direct sun once acclimated, but bright indirect light is the safe default indoors.

Kalanchoe tomentosa

Panda Plant

A succulent subshrub from the arid regions of Madagascar, with fuzzy, water-storing leaves built to endure drought. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest light you can offer, including some direct sun. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — let the top two inches be fully dry, and err toward waiting longer, as its fleshy leaves rot far more easily than they thirst.

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi

Lavender Scallops

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi stores water in its fleshy, scalloped leaves and is built for dry, sunny conditions with sharp drainage. Give it bright light with some direct sun and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — when the top several inches are bone dry and the leaves no longer feel firm — as standing moisture rots it quickly.

Kalanchoe houghtonii

Mother of Millions

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar that stores water in its fleshy leaves and rots if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest spot you have, including some direct sun. Water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely — wait until the top two inches are bone dry, then water and let it dry again.

Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri

Palm Beachbells

A succulent biennial subshrub from Madagascar, its fleshy leaves store water so it tolerates drought far better than standing wet. Grow it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only when the top two inches of soil are fully dry. It takes bright light readily but can scorch in harsh, prolonged direct sun behind glass.

Kalanchoe pumila

Flour-dust Plant

Kalanchoe pumila is a succulent-leaved member of the Crassulaceae from Madagascar, storing water in its powdery silver foliage and resenting wet feet. Grow it in fast-draining, gritty mix in a bright spot out of harsh midday sun, and water only when the top inch or two of mix is fully dry. It tolerates dry household air and is far more forgiving of neglect than of overwatering.

Kalanchoe marmorata

Penwiper

Kalanchoe marmorata is a succulent subshrub from the rocky uplands of east and central Africa, where it stores water in its mottled fleshy leaves and endures long dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright light; an east or near-south window suits it, with some tolerance for a few hours of direct sun. Water deeply only once the soil has dried through — wait until the top two inches are dry and the leaves feel slightly soft, then water and let it dry out again.

Kalanchoe marnieriana

Marnier's Kalanchoe

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar, this plant stores water in its paddle-shaped leaves and wants gritty, fast-draining mix that never stays wet. Give it a bright spot with some direct sun, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — when the top two inches of mix are dry and the leaves feel slightly soft, it is ready for water. Err toward drought; sitting wet will rot the roots and stem.

Kalanchoe sexangularis

Bushveld Kalanchoe

A succulent subshrub from the warm, seasonally dry regions of southern Africa, storing water in its fleshy leaves and resenting wet feet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright light, ideally several hours of direct sun, which deepens the red leaf coloring. Water only when the mix has dried out completely through the pot, then water deeply.

Kalanchoe beharensis

Velvet Leaf

A succulent shrub from the dry regions of Madagascar, with thick, water-storing felted leaves built for arid conditions. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest light you can offer, ideally several hours of direct sun. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely — wait until the top several inches are bone dry, as standing moisture readily causes rot.

Kalanchoe laxiflora

Milky Widow's Thrill

A succulent subshrub from Madagascar, Kalanchoe laxiflora stores water in its fleshy leaves and is adapted to bright, dry conditions. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally some direct sun, and gritty, fast-draining mix. Water only when the soil has dried out completely, roughly every 10 to 21 days, since it rots far more easily than it goes thirsty.