Kalanchoe luciae , commonly known as Paddle Plant or Flapjack , is an eye - catching flora that has received the prestigiousAward of Garden Meritfrom the UK ’s Royal Horticultural Society .
Kalanchoe luciaeRaym.-Hamet
Desert Cabbage , Flapjack , Paddle Kalanchoe , Paddle Plant , Red pancake
In cultivation, Benicia, California, United States. Photo by Serecac Trebor. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Kalanchoe albiflora , Kalanchoe aleuroides
class : CrassulaceaeSubfamily : SedoideaeTribe : KalanchoeaeGenus : Kalanchoe
The specific epithet " luciae " ( judge " LOO - see - ay " ) honour Mademoiselle Lucy Dufour , an familiarity of the French plant scientist and physician Raymond Hamet , who described this metal money .
In cultivation, Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia. Photo by Nazrol Ikhwan. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The native range ofKalanchoe luciaeextends from north - eastern KwaZulu - Natal to the north - central protective embankment of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces inSouth AfricaandEswatini , and northwards to Zimbabwe and Mozambique . It grows on hills and ridgepole , granite slopes in woodland or savanna .
Kalanchoe luciaeis a biennialsucculentshrublet that forms attractive rose window on one to several arm . The root and leaves are covered with a white , mealy layer that falls off with years . The heavy leaves are grey - green to yellowish - green with red - tinged edge . They vary in shape from subcircular orobovatetooblong – spathulate , quantify up to 9.2 inches ( 23 cm ) in length and 6 inches ( 15 cm ) in width . When exposed to direct sunshine and low temperatures , the margins of the leaves will deepen in color and spread .
An erect , slightly rig flowering stem emerges from the center of rosettes forge the previous year , reaching a height of up to 6.6 foot ( 2 m ) . The bloom appear in dense clusters , either inthyrsesorpanicles , during late winter and early saltation . They are urn - shaped , measuring up to 0.5 inches ( 1.2 centimeter ) in distance , and have a pallid yellowish - putting green , distinctly 4 - angledcorolla , sometimes covered with a slight blossom . This works ismonocarpic , which means the rosette dies after flowering , but it produces newoffsetsat its basis .
Inflorescences. In cultivation, Sun Valley, California, United States. Photo by Vicki Cerda. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Kalanchoe luciaeis often mislabeled as its much rarer comparative , Kalanchoe thyrsiflora . To severalise between the two , follow the size of the leaves and the stress response . Kalanchoe luciaehas larger leaves that turn redder when stressed , while those ofKalanchoe thyrsifloraremain grey - green . to boot , the flowers ofKalanchoe luciaeare picket yellowish - green with no detectable fragrance , while those ofKalanchoe thyrsifloraare darker white-livered and sweetly fragrant .
Light : Kalanchoe luciaegrows best in full sun but usually appreciate some partial shade during the hot summer Clarence Day . When growing indoors , localise it near a window with indirect sunshine . If it does not receive enough igniter , it may adulterate .
Soil : The plant need grease that drain well and does not wish " sozzled feet . " A commercial-grade potting mix for succulents will work well .
In cultivation, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. Photo by Mara Moises S Dos Santos. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Temperature : Kalanchoe luciaethrives in heat and humidity but can not treat hoar . It mature best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones10a to 11b , with average minimal winter temperatures ranging from 30 ° F to 50 ° F ( -1.1 ° C to 10 ° C ) .
lachrymation : Water the plant thoroughly from bounce to descend , but lease the soil dry between watering , as overwatering may cause stem rot . Reduce lacrimation during winter ; only irrigate it enough to prevent the leaves from shrivel up .
fertilise : Fertilize now and again during the growing time of year with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength and applied every two week .
In cultivation, Lagoa, Portugal. Photo by Tom Pal. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Repotting : The plant flourish better when frequently repotted . For optimal growth , repot it every two years in spring . Go up one pot size of it every time you repot .
Propagation : Kalanchoe luciaecan be easily circularise by seeds , offsets , or foliage and theme press clipping . bounce is the best time to take cutting and separate beginning . Sow the seed in outpouring or summertime .
Learn more atHow to spring up and give care for Kalanchoe .
In cultivation, California, United States. Photo by Jyothi Jayaram. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Kalanchoe luciaeis not toxic to masses but should be kept off from deary because , if eat , it may get vomiting , diarrhea , and heart cardiac arrhythmia .
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Flowers. In cultivation, Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa. Photo by Mia Donoghue. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
