About

A compact, perennial succulent, with rosettes of fleshy, rounded olive green leaves patterned with dark red. In late spring, autumn or sometimes winter, the rosettes may elongate into a flowerstalk to 35cm high, bearing diffuse clusters of small reddish purple flowers.

About the genus

Kalanchoe can be annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs or trees, with succulent, simple or pinnately lobed foliage and tubular or bell-shaped flowers with four lobes

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B

Plant details

Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrow indoors, in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light with good ventilation. Water moderately throughout the year but more sparingly in winter. In the growing season feed with liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times. See houseplant cultivation or cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by removal of plantlets, or by stem cuttings in spring or summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to downy mildews and a leaf spot