Kalanchoe daigremontiana are unique sets of succulents which could grow well with little maintenance.
They are endemic plants to tropical and subtropical regions in Madagascar. You could grow them outdoors if you live in warm conditions all year along.
Further you may grow them as house plants also. However If you grow Kalanchoe daigremontiana as houseplants, it is unlikely that they will flower though.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana would be quite handy if you are a fresher in succulent gardening. Mother of thousand is the common name of Kalanchoe daigremontiana.
They have inherited this name from the baby plants arising from the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plant leaves edges. They are fast growing plants.
However, these are not the types of plants which could perform well in colder weather conditions. So, let us find out more about these plants and learn their proper growing requirements as well.
How do I identify Kalanchoe daigremontiana?
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants from green leaves. Further they will have a slightly blue shade as well. Kalanchoe daigremontiana plant leaves would be long, and they would consist of red edges.
The sizes of the leaves would be 20 cm in length and 3 cm in width. As aforesaid you could spot small plantlets appearing on the individual leaf edges.
To elaborate further on the leaves, they will consist of a texture which is fleshy. They are the water conserving parts of the plants.
You could spot the leaves at the upper part of the plants growing larger compared to the rest of the leaves. it will cause the main stalk to bend under their weight.
You may further spot them forming lateral leaves as well. They would grow above the ground level. It is unlikely that they will bloom when you grow them as houseplants.
On the other hand, they would produce flowers when you grow them outdoors during the warm season. The flowers will form in clusters, and they will appear on the top of the plants. They produce flowers in pink and they would tend to resemble a bell shape.
Size of the plant
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants would be about 3 feet tall when they are fully grown. Further their leaves length could vary from 4 inches to 10 inches.
With that being said, the average height of the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants would be about 1 foot. Many people prefer to have these plants when they are shorter.
Growth rate
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants usually grow faster.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Kalanchoe daigremontiana |
| Common Name | Mother of thousand |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 3 feet tall |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | Acid, neutral, alkaline |
| Bloom Time | Summer |
| Flower Color | Pink |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones 9-11 |
| Native Area | Madagascar |
| Toxicity | Toxic |
| Average price | USD 3 |
How do you take care of Kalanchoe daigremontiana?
Light Requirement
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants could flourish given that they grow in a bright sunny spot. Ideally, they should receive bright sunlight for five to six hours.
Having said that, if you expose them to direct sunlight, it could contribute to sunburns in the plants. As such ensure that they get indirect bright sunlight wherever you grow them.
On the other hand, if you have grown them indoors for some time and want to plant them outdoors, you could slowly expose them to full sunlight.
If you expose them to direct sunlight all of a sudden, it could be traumatizing for the plants.
Temperature and humidity
When it comes to the right temperature levels to grow the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants, ideal temperature levels which would suit these plants would be a temperature of 65- 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Avoid exposing them to intense heat levels for prolonged periods though they can withstand intense heat levels for sometime.
On the other hand, you need to bring the plants indoors when the temperature levels decrease up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit as they are not tolerant of colder temperature levels.
Further when you bring them indoors, you should refrain from leaving them closer to heaters unless it would make the plants dry.
Is it cold hardy?
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants are not frost hardy plants. Hence if you are someone who lives in much cooler conditions, you should relocate these plants to somewhere indoors.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. If you live in these zones, you could consider growing them outdoors right throughout the year.
Watering Requirement
As explained in the beginning of the article, Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants grow in drought weather conditions.
Hence they could thrive with minimum water levels.You could water them every other day when watering the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants during summer.
However, ensure that you let the soil become entirely wither from the previous watering session before you water them again. Further when watering, ensure you water them lightly.
Literally you should not make the soil too moist and instead ensure that excess moisture is draining away from the soil mix.
When the weather conditions get much cooler, you should cut back on watering them and do it less often.
If your Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants grow in full sunlight during heated times in winter, it could make your plants more vulnerable for scorching.
Further avoid watering them during the evening in winter so that it will avoid any potential freezing. You could use tap water which is at room temperature to water the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants.
Soil Requirement Type / pH
It is crucial to have an excellent draining of the soil mix when growing the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants just like with the other succulents.
If you grow them in a poor draining potting medium, it will retain excess moisture in the pot and lead to root rot.
Many people tend to go ahead with cactus soil mix or with succulent soil mix to grow them.
Furthermore, you may be tactful in adding elements such as perlite to a regular soil mix so that the draining of the soil mix would be even better.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
A porous material pot such as a clay pot or a terracotta pot would be more appropriate to grow the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants.
When you grow them in porous pots which have sufficient draining holes , it will allow the excess moisture to evaporate faster.When it comes to repotting these plants, you do not need to do it on a frequent basis. It could be once every two to three years.
Where to Plant
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants do not handle cold conditions well. Hence you should grow them ideally in a hot and dry place.
Having said that, if you live in aforesaid zones, you may grow them as outdoor plants all year long.
Furthermore, if you live in much colder places, I encourage you to grow them in containers which are light so that you could shift them indoors during the winter times.
Apart from that ensure that you adhere to aforesaid guidelines on the pot type and on the soil medium when planting them too.
Fertilizer and time of year
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants could perform well no matter if you feed them or not. Usually, they can perform well in less nutritious soil mixes.
Dormancy
Winter months would be the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants dormancy period. During their dormancy they will drop the plantlets and will be literally in sleeping mode.
During their dormancy, you could suspend feeding them and water them if essential only.
Toxicity
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants contain a poisonous toxin which could be poisonous towards pets and for humans.
The toxin which is contained in these plants is cardiac glycoside daigremontianum. In fact, chances are that it could be fatal on the pets and on the kids.
Common bugs and illnesses
These plants are not usually susceptible for pests’ attacks or for diseases generally. Having said that, you need to watch out for snails if you have particularly grown them outdoors.
In addition to that ensure that you do not let any root rot take place too. All you need to do to avoid root rot is to water them adequately without supplying them water in excess.
Flowering
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants produce blooms in pink and their usual flowering season would be summer. The blooms of the Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants would resemble a bell shape.
Special Care tips
When it comes to special care tips, you need to keep in mind to remove the older and dead flower stalks and the plantlets.
Unless they would be attractive spots for pests. They do not require a special pruning in general. In case you spot your plants dropping its leaves, it could be an indication of lack of sunlight.
How to propagate Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants could propagate on their own. In fact, you may have witnessed small Kalanchoe daigremontiana plantlets in other pots which are close by to your pots.
The reason for that is because the plantlets which arise on the leaf’s edges could fall on the other pots. They are fast growing and would tend to form roots rapidly.
Sometimes, it would be difficult to take them off too. Ensure that you do not let them become invasive in other pots.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plant benefits
- These succulents would be great picks for succulents’ gardens.
- Furthermore, they would be handy to use as houseplants as well.
- There are records to show that these plants were utilized for medicinal purposes by the ancient people particularly in the tropical countries.
- It is said that they have used Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants to treat burns, ulcers infection and diarrhea too.
Conclusion
Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants would be a great choice for you to start gardening as they would require only an easy maintenance from you. They could thrive even if you forget to fulfill their growing requirements for some time.
These plants produce fabulous flowers when grown outdoors. Their easy propagation is one more reason why many people tend to grow them.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana are somewhat in contrast to other species of the Kalanchoes as they produce some fabulous flowers as mentioned aforesaid.
These are hardy plants which could thrive in hot and dry weather conditions. Further Kalanchoe daigremontiana are tolerant of extreme heat levels as well.
To sum up, Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants are an interesting set of plants which will beautify your space no matter where you place them. So if these facts have excited you to own Kalanchoe daigremontiana plants, try growing them and get that amazing experience.
Read More : Kalanchoe Sexangularis ( One Of The Most Appealing Succulent ) Kalanchoe Rhombopilosa Care | 16 Care Secrets You Should Know | Kalanchoe Albino Succulent | 11 Amazing Care Tips For You |
