Easy-Going Kalanchoe Types: Explore 8 Suitable Kalanchoe Varieties for Plant Enthusiasts Everywhere
In the world of succulent plants, Kalanchoe species stand out for their distinctive foliage and easy-to-grow nature. Here are some of the most unique and beginner-friendly Kalanchoe varieties to consider, beyond the common Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.
The Panda Plant, or Kalanchoe tomentosa, is a low-maintenance succulent renowned for its soft, fuzzy leaves. Available in colours like grayish blue and golden brown, it is an excellent choice for beginners. Another fuzzy-leaved variety similar in care to K. tomentosa is Kalanchoe millotii.
Kalanchoe eriophylla, known as the Snow White Panda Plant, boasts whitish-gray fuzzy leaves and is slightly more cold hardy than the other tomentosa types. For those seeking a taller plant, Kalanchoe beharensis (Felt Bush) is an impressive option. With large, soft, brownish fuzzy leaves, it can grow up to 12 feet tall, adding a dramatic texture to indoor or outdoor succulent collections.
These varieties share common traits, including being succulents with fuzzy or textured leaves, requiring well-draining soil, bright indirect light, and infrequent watering. This makes them suitable for beginners or those seeking unique foliage rather than just flowers.
Other intriguing Kalanchoe varieties include the Kalanchoe 'Tarantula' (Kalanchoe katapifa), a bushy plant with foliage resembling spider legs, and the Mother of Thousands, also known as the Alligator Plant, Devil's Backbone, and Mexican Hat Plant, which produces numerous plantlets along the edges of its leaves that can form new plants.
With over 100 species native to Madagascar, there are many more Kalanchoe varieties to explore. For instance, Kalanchoe humilis, or Desert Surprise, has thick, saucer-shaped blue-green leaves with soft notches and irregular splashes of maroon. The Velvet Leaf Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe beharensis) has large, arrow-shaped leaves with soft gray hairs and gray-green leaves that mature to a rusty red tint.
Marnier's Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe panamensis) produces new shoots from roots that can be divided away from the parent plant and potted up separately. The 'Lavender Scallops' kalanchoe has similarly toned leaves as the Kalanchoe 'Fire Rainbow'. The Flapjack (Paddle Plant) (Kalanchoe luciae or Kalanchoe thyrsiflora) has thickened, saucer-shaped leaves that layer like a stack of pancakes and is tinged with pink and covered with a waxy coating.
If you are interested in growing kalanchoes, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the choice. However, starting with the varieties mentioned above can help you discover the unique beauty these plants offer.
- The home-and-garden enthusiast may appreciate the Panda Plant (Kalanchoe tomentosa), a home-friendly succulent with soft, fuzzy leaves, ideal for those seeking an easy-start in the world of gardening.
- For those looking to add a dramatic, tall element to their home-and-garden or outdoor succulent collection, Kalanchoe beharensis, also known as the Felt Bush, offers impressive size with large, soft, brownish fuzzy leaves that can grow up to 12 feet tall.
