Types of home grown Kalanchoe

There are about two hundred plants belonging to the Kalanchoe genus around the world. At the same time, outwardly they can look like real giants, 2–4 meters in height, with strong lignified trunks, and dwarfs that imperceptibly live on tree branches or on stones and do not exceed 15–20 cm in height. Some varieties of Kalanchoe prefer dry stony empty ones, others more comfortable under the canopy of a tropical forest.

But at the same time, there are no indigenous inhabitants of the middle zone among the Kalanchoe - all plants come from tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. Therefore, in our country, these interesting plants are grown as indoor plants, they are perfectly acclimatized to indoor living conditions, and with proper care, many types of Kalanchoe bloom regularly and multiply easily.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana

The most famous representative of the genus in our country is the Kalanchoe Degremona, originally from the island of Madagascar. A perennial herb with pointed fleshy leaves in nature can reach two meters in height, but under indoor conditions, shoots often do not grow longer than 50 cm.The leaves of the plant are both a monochromatic green or bluish color, and are sometimes covered with brownish or purple specks and stripes.

In winter, Kalanchoe Degremona, as in the photo, blooms, forming a large, loose inflorescence at the top of the shoot, consisting of purple or pink elongated flowers. A characteristic feature of the species is considered to be the numerous brood buds located along the edge of the toothed leaf and giving a mass of tiny rosettes with aerial roots, which, when dropped, quickly take root and give rise to new Kalanchoe plants.

Kalanchoe pinnata (Kalanchoe pinnata)

Kalanchoe pinnate, in the photo, is also a native of Madagascar, which is widespread due to its medicinal qualities. A plant with powerful erect shoots forms a bush up to a meter high. Fleshy, oval-shaped leaves at the bottom of the stem are simple, and closer to the top are divided into 3 - 5 parts. Unlike Kalanchoe Degremon, this species has rounded teeth along the edge, and the leaves are the same bare glossy.

This species is also characterized by reproduction by children that form in the depressions along the edge of the leaves, but more often this occurs on already wilting leaf plates or leaves that have already fallen from the stem. As in the photo, the feathery Kalanchoe forms powerful inflorescences during flowering, crowned with drooping flowers up to 35 mm long. The tube of the flower is greenish or variegated, with pink specks, and the corolla is most often brownish-red.

Kalanchoe prolifera (Kalanchoe prolifera)

Kalanchoe Prolifera is found in the wild in the central regions of Madagascar, where it can grow up to almost two meters in height. In a young plant of this Kalanchoe species, a strong erect stem is initially formed, at the top of which a rosette of pinnate leaves forms, forming a rounded crown of the plant as it opens. Gradually, the old leaves fall off and, like in other Kalanchoe species, the trunk becomes bare.

The first flowering occurs only a few years after planting, closer to spring. The peduncle is very large, sometimes up to a meter high. Paniculate inflorescences consist of elongated flowers with green tubes and orange corollas.

Kalanchoe Beharskoe (Kalanchoe beharensis)

This type of Kalanchoe is often called elephant grass or Maltese cross. Plants, native to the south of Madagascar, stand out for their tallness and large unusual-shaped leaves, covered with a short dense felt that makes them gray.

Like other related plants, the pinnate Kalanchoe blooms, forming loose inflorescences of small, up to 7 mm in diameter, greenish and light yellow flowers at the top of the shoot. This type of Kalanchoe tolerates dry periods and coolness well.

Kalanchoe Blossfeld (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

One of the most decorative types Kalanchoe Blossfeld, pictured, is well known to amateur flower growers due to its lush bloom. In nature, this plant forms semi-shrub forms, consisting of erect, low-branched shoots with a height of 30 to 60 cm.

The shape of the hairless, glossy leaves is ovoid. The leaf plate is dense, fleshy. The lower leaves are larger than those located closer to the top. The average length is about 4–6 cm.

Blossfeld's Kalanchoe flowers, as in the photo, are collected in umbrella inflorescences. The flower diameter is 12-15 mm. In nature, there are mainly plants that form red flowers, but thanks to selection, flower growers have the opportunity to grow Kalanchoe of a wide variety of colors.

The most popular terry variety of Kalanchoe Blossfeld, in the photo, Kalandiva, delighting with long flowering and lush inflorescences with white, yellow, orange, pink and scarlet buds.

Kalanchoe felt (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

Another native of Madagascar, the felt Kalanchoe is sometimes called cat ears for the shape of the ovoid, with a pointed tip of the leaves and a dense felt coating on them. Shoots of this Kalanchoe species are also erect, densely set at the top with silvery-gray leaves.

On erect peduncles, inflorescences are formed in the form of an umbrella or panicle. The flowers are medium-sized, with a pubescent silvery tube up to 12 mm long and a brownish, purple or red corolla.

Kalanchoe marble (Kalanchoe marmorata)

Kalanchoe marble or variegated can be seen in the mountainous regions of Ethiopia, and a half-meter, strong shrub with large obovate leaves feels best not in the valleys, but at an altitude of 1,500 to 2,500 thousand meters, where periods of drought and coolness are frequent.

The leaves have a rounded-toothed edge and the color that gave the name to the entire plant. Leaf plates of a greenish-brown hue are covered with large purple or brown specks, which mask the plant well against the background of clay soil and stones.

The inflorescence of the marble Kalanchoe has the shape of an umbrella and consists of graceful white flowers with four pointed petals and an elongated tube up to 7 cm long.

Kalanchoe grandiflora (Kalanchoe grandiflora)

The closest related species of Kalanchoe marble comes from India. This Kalanchoe is large-flowered, outwardly very similar to the previous plant, but does not have a characteristic pattern on the leaves.

In nature, the height of this Kalanchoe does not exceed 60 cm. On erect stems, light green leaves are densely located on short petioles. When the sun hits the leaf blades, they acquire a pinkish or purple hue, especially noticeable along the edge.

The inflorescence consists of pale yellow flowers with four petals and a noticeable aroma. This species of Kalanchoe blooms in the spring. The plant tolerates well the lack of watering and stay in cool rooms.

Kalanchoe marnieriana

A semi-shrub with bluish, succulent leaves located on both sides of the shoots reaches a height of 60 cm. Due to the creeping shoots, the plant can occupy an area of ​​up to 70 cm in diameter.

In nature, during winter, the leaves of Kalanchoe Marnier become lilac-pink, which adds decorativeness to the plant. Orange-pink or red flowers are located on drooping peduncles and form a picturesque picture, wherever Kalanchoe grows.In Madagascar, the homeland of this species, Kalanchoe can be found in humid rocky areas in the northeast of the island.

Kalanchoe panicled flower (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora)

The herbaceous perennial, whose stems grow up to 60 centimeters long, comes from the rocky regions of South Africa. Stems are erect, practically not branching, planted with obovate leaves tapering towards the petiole. Fleshy, dense leaves are green in color, sometimes a red or crimson border forms along the edge. The leaf plates of the lower leaves are much larger than the upper, young ones.

At the top of the shoot in the spring, a paniculate elongated inflorescence is formed, uniting yellow flowers 1.5 cm in diameter. After flowering, numerous daughter rosettes appear on Kalanchoe, rooting well and giving the next generation of plants.

Kalanchoe luciae

This type of Kalanchoe is distinguished by large, very fleshy, crab-like leaves arranged in pairs on both sides of the stem. The lower leaves have a bright green-purple color, and the upper, green ones appear bluish due to the wax coating that protects the fabric from the sun. The leaves, located almost vertically, give this Kalanchoe an original look, making the plant look like sea acorns or other mollusks fixed on stones.

Kalanchoe luciae bloom can be expected no earlier than two or three years after planting. An adult bush forms a powerful long peduncle covered with yellow flowers. Most often, after their withering, the plant dies, but it is easy to renew it with the help of children forming at the base of the outlet.

Kalanchoe tubiflora (Kalanchoe tubiflora)

Like the Kalanchoe of Degremona, in the photo the Kalanchoe is tube-colored, forms a mass of children on the leaves. This species also lives in the dry semi-deserts of Madagascar and forms strong bushes up to 70-80 cm high. Otherwise, these close relatives are difficult to compare.

At first glance at the Kalanchoe tube-colored, narrow, up to 13 cm long leaves of a grayish-green hue draw attention to themselves. On a light background color, brown spots are clearly visible, giving the plant an even more unusual appearance. Flowers that appear on high peduncles are elongated and burgundy-red in color.

Kalanchoe dissected (Kalanchoe laciniata)

Kalanchoe dissected in nature is found in the subtropical regions of Africa. The plant is distinguished from other relatives by a deeply dissected, almost feathery form of juicy bright green leaves. Stems are erect, but with considerable length they can droop. To form a compact Kalanchoe bush, it is necessary to cut it off.

The flowers are profuse, yellow or orange flowers are simple, with four pointed petals.

Kalanchoe manginii (Kalanchoe manginii)

This ampelous variety of Kalanchoe is best known among fans of indoor floriculture. The shoots of Kalanchoe Mangin are erect at first, then droop and can reach 35–40 cm in length. The leaves are round or obovate and have a green or purple color, depending on the plant variety.

The plant blooming at the end of winter pleases with an abundance of orange-pink, bell-shaped flowers located in the racemes at the ends of the stems. This type of Kalanchoe is ideal for hanging baskets. Cultivation does not require special knowledge and conditions of detention.

Kalanchoe Porphyrocalyx (Kalanchoe Porphyrocalyx)

Among the Kalanchoe species growing in Madagascar, there are real epiphytes, settling where it is difficult even to talk about the presence of some kind of fertile soil. Kalanchoe with amazing flowers in the form of bells of double color can perfectly feel mudflow both on tree trunks and on stone placers.

On bushes up to 30–35 cm high there is an abundance of light green elongated leaves. Flowering, unlike other Kalanchoe species, is short-lived and takes only two weeks.

Kalanchoe dwarf Pumila (Kalanchoe Pumila)

The Pumila species from the central regions of Madagascar is a dwarf among other Kalanchoe species. The height of the graceful shrub is only 20 cm. The shoots, which at first remain upright, sag as they grow.

The fan-shaped leaves with a wavy edge at a young age have a dark green color and are covered with a bluish waxy bloom, but later become purple or brown.

Flowers, bright against the background of grayish foliage, are collected in small paniculate inflorescences and are distinguished by a violet-pink color and beautifully curved petals.

Kalanchoe laxiflora (Kalanchoe laxiflora)

The loose Kalanchoe is an indigenous inhabitant of the rocky humid regions of Madagascar, where the shoots of the plant, up to 50 cm long, easily climb rather steep ledges and stones. Leaves are bluish green, usually with a reddish border around the edge. Sometimes there are varieties with brown or reddish foliage. The plant resembles the Mangin Kalanchoe, but is larger and more powerful.

Ovate leaf blades do not exceed 6 cm in length. The edges of the leaves are rounded-toothed. Peduncles reach a length of 50 cm, and the ones hanging on them consist of a green tube and a red, lilac, orange or violet-pink corolla 10 to 20 mm long.

Kalanchoe Gastonis-Bonnieri

Another type of Kalanchoe from Madagascar, due to the shape of the elongated leaves folded along the longitudinal line, deserved comparison with donkey ears at home. The plant reaches a height of 50 cm. Young, silvery-green leaves are clearly visible against the background of the leaves of the lower tiers, painted in brown or reddish tones and covered with dark spots.

Kalanchoe blooms in winter, revealing bright yellow flowers on long brown peduncles.

Kalanchoe hildebrandtii

This variety of Kalanchoe is often referred to as "silver spoons," because of the obvious similarity and shape of the leaves with cutlery, and their color with a touch of noble metal. The height of the shrub is from 30 to 40 cm. Flowering occurs in winter, when small flowers of a bright orange hue appear.

Kalanchoe synsepala

Large smooth green leaves with jagged edges and a contrasting burgundy border cannot fail to attract attention. Kalanchoe of this species is an inhabitant of stony dumps and slopes. The plant is extremely unpretentious and can withstand both heat and a drop in night temperatures up to 15 ° C. In the meantime, there is no need to worry about it. ”

In an adult Kalanchoe of this species, long shoots are formed in the leaf axils, at the end of which a new rosette of leaves is formed. So a drought-resistant spectacular bush settles. The inflorescence is paniculate, loose, the flowers are simple, small in size with white or pinkish corollas.

Video about Kalanchoe