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Kalanchoes are a genus that has a variety of colors, textures and flowers. Some say they are grown primarily for their clusters of small flowers, available in many colors. I find their ability to start plants from a leaf to be very exciting. The flowers bloom in the winter. With good care, the flowers will last two to three months, after which the plant continues to grow. Place in full sun, or direct sunlight, if moderate light is all you have no problem. Water Kalanchoes sparingly. Allow to dry out between waterings. In San Diego, I water once a week from April through September. During the winter about every two weeks or less if we have a lot of rain. Clay pots help to keep the soil dry. Remove dead blooms to encourage more flowers and to keep the plant looking good. These are fun plants! Kalanchoes are a very diverse group with many unusual specimens. They are tough and durable, but attractively unique. Kalanchoes usually grow and flower during our winter and spring months in the Northern Hemisphere, and appreciate a warm, light position during this time. They are easily propagated and like adequate water.

This is a mature plant whose top was cut off forcing it to branch out fully. You can do this also. Your plant will be a smaller one stem plant.

Kalanchoe eriophylla, native to Madagascar, has the appearance of a snow-white "Panda Plant" with a slightly less upright habit. Fleshy tapered leaves are densely covered with white hairs and have brown tips. One of the woolliest of all succulents. Flowers are violet, and very similar to those of Kalanchoe pumila. A very pettable plant! Porous soil with adequate drainage. Bright light for woolliest appearance. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Drought tolerant. Protect from frost.

Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, also considered Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, forms bluish lavender leaves with lighter scalloped margins. Forms candelabra of beautiful soft orange bell shaped flowers in spring. Nice for borders or in rock gardens. Porous soil with adequate drainage. Bright light to full sun. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost. Grows approx. 2' tall spreading about 1' wide.

Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri, native to Madagascar, forms loose rosettes of large, coppery green lanceolate leaves with darker spots. The leaves are densely covered with pruinose white powder. Leaves are sometimes lined with young plantlets. Pale pink flowers. Prefers a porous soil with adequate drainage and a bright airy place in a window sill or on the patio. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.

Drought tolerant when established. This is an incredibly colorful variegated form of an old hybrid that was hard to track down its heritage. The original hybrid was known as ‘Houghton’s Hybrid’, and was a cross between K. diagremontiana and K. delagoensis (a.k.a. K. tubiflora). At some point a variegated sport of this hybrid appeared and ‘Pink Butterflies’ came to be. ‘Pink Butterflies’ is not only uniquely colored but also has an advantage over the original cross. Both parents of the original hybrid are “viviparous”, producing hundreds of tiny plantlets on their leaves that readily fall from the parents and take root with little to no effort.

Kalanchoe longiflora coccinea, native to Natal, forms subshrubs with scalloped oval leaves. Leaves turn crimson in response to drought, cold or full sun. Canary yellow flowers on tall spikes appear during late spring and summer months. Porous soil with ample airflow. Bright light to morning sun. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Protect from frost.