Kalanchoe succulents are among the most beloved and versatile plants in the succulent family. Known for their vibrant flowers, unique leaf shapes, and remarkable resilience, these Madagascar natives have captured the hearts of plant enthusiasts worldwide.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for low-maintenance houseplants or an experienced gardener seeking to expand your collection, Kalanchoe varieties offer something special for everyone.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 15 stunning Kalanchoe types and provide you with everything you need to know to grow them successfully. From the popular flowering varieties to the more unusual architectural specimens, each Kalanchoe brings its own character and charm to any space.
What Makes Kalanchoe Special?
Before diving into specific varieties, it’s worth understanding what sets Kalanchoe apart from other succulents. These remarkable plants belong to the Crassulaceae family and are renowned for their thick, fleshy leaves that store water efficiently. Most varieties produce clusters of small, colorful flowers that can bloom for weeks or even months, making them excellent choices for adding long-lasting color to your home or garden.
Kalanchoe plants are also known for their ease of care and propagation. Many varieties produce plantlets along their leaf edges or can be easily propagated from leaf cuttings, making them perfect for sharing with friends or expanding your own collection.
15 Stunning Kalanchoe Varieties
1. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)
The most popular Kalanchoe variety, Flaming Katy is prized for its abundant clusters of small, colorful flowers. Available in vibrant shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, and white, this compact plant typically grows 6-12 inches tall. The glossy, dark green leaves with scalloped edges provide an excellent backdrop for the cheerful blooms that can last for several months with proper care.
2. Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
One of the most distinctive Kalanchoe varieties, the Panda Plant is instantly recognizable by its fuzzy, silvery-green leaves edged with chocolate-brown spots. The soft, velvety texture comes from tiny hairs covering the leaves, giving it an almost plush appearance. This slow-growing variety can reach 18 inches tall and rarely flowers indoors, but its unique foliage makes it a standout specimen.
3. Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Mother of Thousands)
This fascinating variety is famous for producing tiny plantlets along the serrated edges of its leaves. The blue-green, triangular leaves can grow quite large, and each leaf edge is lined with dozens of baby plants that eventually drop off to start new colonies. While it can become invasive in warm climates, it makes an intriguing houseplant that’s perfect for propagation enthusiasts.
4. Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi (Lavender Scallops)
Featuring beautiful blue-green leaves with purple-pink edges and scalloped margins, Lavender Scallops creates a stunning color display. The leaves become more intensely colored when exposed to bright light or cooler temperatures. This trailing variety works excellently in hanging baskets or as ground cover in warm climates, producing small orange flowers in winter.
5. Kalanchoe luciae (Flapjack Plant)
Also known as the Paddle Plant, this variety forms a rosette of large, flat, paddle-shaped leaves. The gray-green foliage develops stunning red edges when grown in bright light, creating a dramatic contrast. This architectural plant can grow quite large, reaching up to 2 feet across, making it an excellent focal point in succulent arrangements.
6. Kalanchoe beharensis (Felt Bush)
The Felt Bush stands out with its large, triangular leaves covered in soft, brown felt-like hairs. The leaves have an almost velvet texture and can grow quite large on mature plants. This tree-like succulent can reach several feet in height when grown outdoors and produces small, greenish flowers. It’s prized more for its unique foliage than its blooms.
7. Kalanchoe pumila (Flower Dust Plant)
This charming miniature variety features small, powdery white-green leaves that appear dusted with flour. The compact plant produces delicate pink flowers on short stems, creating a lovely contrast against the pale foliage. Growing only 4-6 inches tall, it’s perfect for small containers or fairy gardens.
8. Kalanchoe marnieriana (Marnier’s Kalanchoe)
Distinguished by its blue-green, spoon-shaped leaves arranged in a rosette pattern, this variety develops beautiful pink or red edges when stressed by bright light or cool temperatures. The leaves are thick and waxy with a slightly concave shape. It produces clusters of bright red flowers and can trail or climb, making it versatile for various garden applications.
9. Kalanchoe tetraphylla (Four-Leaf Kalanchoe)
This unique variety gets its name from the four leaves that grow in whorls around the stem. The narrow, blue-green leaves have serrated edges and often develop reddish tints. It’s a more compact grower that produces small plantlets along the leaf margins, similar to Mother of Thousands but on a smaller scale.
10. Kalanchoe thyrsifolia (Desert Cabbage)
The Desert Cabbage forms impressive rosettes of large, flat, paddle-shaped leaves that can reach remarkable proportions. The gray-green leaves develop striking red edges and can span over a foot in length. This variety is known for its dramatic flowering display, producing a tall spike covered in yellow tubular flowers, though this typically signals the end of the plant’s life cycle.
11. Kalanchoe longiflora (Long-Flower Kalanchoe)
Featuring elongated, cylindrical leaves that grow in opposite pairs, this variety creates an interesting geometric pattern. The yellow-green leaves often develop reddish tips and edges when grown in bright light. True to its name, it produces long, tubular yellow flowers that hang gracefully from the plant.
12. Kalanchoe orgyalis (Copper Spoons)
This striking variety showcases oval, spoon-shaped leaves covered in a bronze or copper-colored felt. The unique coloration and texture make it highly sought after by collectors. The leaves are arranged alternately along branching stems, creating an attractive, sculptural appearance. It can grow quite tall and produces small yellow flowers.
13. Kalanchoe hildebrandtii (Silver Teaspoons)
Silver Teaspoons features distinctive silvery-white leaves with a smooth, waxy surface and scalloped edges. The leaves are spoon-shaped and arranged in an attractive rosette pattern. When exposed to bright light, the leaf edges may develop pink or purple tints, adding to its visual appeal. This variety produces orange flowers on tall stems.
14. Kalanchoe sexangularis (Six-Angled Kalanchoe)
This climbing or trailing variety gets its name from its six-angled stems. The small, triangular leaves are arranged in pairs along the stems and can develop reddish coloration. It’s excellent for hanging baskets or as a ground cover, producing small orange flowers. The plant can spread quickly through its trailing growth habit.
15. Kalanchoe delagoensis (Chandelier Plant)
The Chandelier Plant features distinctive cylindrical leaves that are blue-green with purple spots and markings. Like Mother of Thousands, it produces plantlets along the leaf edges, but the overall appearance is quite different due to its unique leaf shape. The spotted pattern gives it an almost reptilian appearance that’s highly distinctive.
Essential Growing Guide for Kalanchoe
Light Requirements
Kalanchoe plants thrive in bright, indirect light when grown indoors. While they can tolerate some direct sunlight, especially morning sun, intense afternoon rays can scorch their leaves. For flowering varieties, adequate light is crucial for bloom production. If you notice your plant becoming leggy or losing its compact shape, it likely needs more light.
Outdoors, most Kalanchoe varieties prefer partial shade to filtered sunlight. In very hot climates, afternoon shade is essential to prevent leaf burn. Some varieties, like Kalanchoe luciae, develop their best coloration when grown in brighter conditions with some direct sunlight.
Watering Wisdom
Like all succulents, Kalanchoe plants store water in their thick leaves and stems, making them drought-tolerant but sensitive to overwatering. The key to successful watering is the “soak and dry” method. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again.
During the growing season (spring and summer), you might water every 7-10 days, but this can vary significantly based on temperature, humidity, and pot size. In winter, reduce watering to every 2-3 weeks or when the soil is bone dry. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before watering.
Soil and Drainage
Proper drainage is absolutely critical for Kalanchoe health. Use a well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix, or create your own by mixing regular potting soil with perlite, coarse sand, or pumice in a 1:1 ratio. The goal is to create a medium that drains quickly while still retaining some moisture.
Ensure your pots have drainage holes – this is non-negotiable for succulent success. If you want to use decorative pots without holes, use them as cache pots with a properly draining inner pot that can be removed for watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Kalanchoe plants prefer temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C) and can tolerate brief drops to around 50°F (10°C). However, they’re not frost-tolerant and should be protected from freezing temperatures. Most varieties are hardy in USDA zones 9-11 when grown outdoors.
These plants prefer low to moderate humidity levels, making them well-suited to typical indoor environments. High humidity can promote fungal issues, so ensure good air circulation around your plants.
Fertilizing Your Kalanchoe
During the growing season, feed your Kalanchoe with a balanced, diluted fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Use a fertilizer formulated for succulents or dilute a regular houseplant fertilizer to quarter strength. Flowering varieties may benefit from a phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage bloom production.
Avoid fertilizing in winter when plant growth naturally slows down. Over-fertilizing can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers and can make plants more susceptible to pests and diseases.
Propagation Methods
One of the joys of growing Kalanchoe is how easily most varieties propagate. Here are the main methods:
Leaf Cuttings: Remove healthy leaves carefully, ensuring you get the entire leaf including the base. Allow the cut end to callus for 1-2 days, then place on well-draining soil. Keep slightly moist until roots develop.
Stem Cuttings: Cut 3-4 inch stems, remove lower leaves, and allow to callus before planting in succulent soil. This method works well for branching varieties.
Plantlets: Many varieties like Mother of Thousands naturally produce baby plants that can be collected and planted directly.
Division: Mature clumping varieties can be divided by carefully separating offset rosettes with roots attached.
Common Growing Problems and Solutions
Overwatering Issues
The most common problem with Kalanchoe is overwatering, which leads to root rot, yellowing leaves, and mushy stems. If you suspect overwatering, immediately stop watering and check the roots. Remove any black, mushy roots and repot in fresh, dry soil. Adjust your watering schedule going forward.
Lack of Flowering
If your flowering Kalanchoe isn’t blooming, it may need more light or a period of cooler temperatures to initiate bud formation. Some varieties require 12-14 hours of darkness daily for several weeks to trigger flowering – this mimics their natural winter dormancy period.
Pest Management
Common pests include mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Inspect your plants regularly and treat infestations early with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure good air circulation to prevent pest buildup.
Leggy Growth
Stretched, elongated growth indicates insufficient light. Move your plant to a brighter location and consider pruning to encourage more compact growth. The pruned stems can often be propagated to create new plants.
Seasonal Care Tips
Spring: This is the active growing season. Resume regular watering and fertilizing. Repot if necessary and begin propagation projects.
Summer: Continue regular care but watch for heat stress in very hot climates. Provide afternoon shade if leaves show signs of sunburn.
Fall: Begin reducing watering frequency as growth slows. Many varieties set flower buds during this time.
Winter: Minimal watering and no fertilizer. Many flowering varieties bloom during this period. Protect from cold drafts and freezing temperatures.
Creating Stunning Displays
Kalanchoe varieties work beautifully in mixed succulent arrangements, providing color contrast and textural interest. Combine different leaf shapes, colors, and sizes for maximum impact. Flowering varieties can serve as seasonal focal points, while foliage varieties provide year-round structure.
Consider the mature size of each variety when planning arrangements. Fast-growing types like Mother of Thousands might overwhelm smaller, slower-growing companions, so plan accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Kalanchoe succulents offer an incredible diversity of forms, colors, and growing habits that make them suitable for virtually any setting. From the cheerful blooms of Flaming Katy brightening a windowsill to the architectural drama of a mature Flapjack Plant in a garden bed, these versatile plants continue to surprise and delight.
The key to success with any Kalanchoe variety is understanding their basic needs: bright light, excellent drainage, and careful watering. Master these fundamentals, and you’ll be rewarded with healthy, beautiful plants that may even surprise you with unexpected blooms or interesting growth habits.
Whether you choose one variety or decide to collect them all, Kalanchoe succulents offer years of growing pleasure with minimal fuss. Their forgiving nature makes them perfect for beginners, while their diversity keeps even experienced growers engaged and excited about new discoveries.
Start with one or two varieties that appeal to you most, learn their specific needs, and gradually expand your collection as your confidence grows. With proper care, these remarkable plants will reward you with their unique beauty for years to come.
I am a passionate gardener and writer who transforms a small suburban backyard into a thriving ecosystem of vegetables, herbs, and native plants.