Kalanchoe, a genus of about 130 species, is one of best known indoor succulent. The most common is Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katie, Tom Thumb), with glossy, dark green leaves and tubular flowers that are usual scarlet in color but can also be white, yellow, pink, orange or red that appear from late winter to late spring. An other best known Kalanchoe, grown for its showy leaves is Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Devil's Backbone, Mother-of-Thousands), that form young plantlets which grow along the leaf edges. They are easily dislodged and can be found in profusion around the base of the adult plant.
Kalanchoe are easy to grow plants as they need minimum care. Grow them in loam-based potting compost with additional grit, in a place with bright filtered light. Water moderately during the growing season and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer 3 or 4 times. In winter keep the soil just moist. After the plants have finished flowering, cut them back to promote new growth. Keep plants well trimmed to encourage compact and bushy growth.
Protect the plants from frost as they are very tender, bring them indoor as soon as the night temperatures fall if you had them out over the summer. Don't place them near a window that gets winter chill or direct sun during the hottest part of the day in summer, as both these extremes will cause leaf scorch.
Propagate by sowing seeds in early spring at 21 Celsius degrees (70 F), or by removing offsets and plantlets from leaves or inflorescences, or take stem cuttings in spring or summer.
