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Kalanchoe daigremontiana

Mexican hat plant

An upright succulent perennial with trinagular-lance-shaped, grey-green leaves, often spotted with brown, and with a row of plantlets on each edge; pendent, tubular greyish pink flowers 2cm long open in winter

Other common names
devil's backbone
flopper
Synonyms
Bryophyllum daigremontianum
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Brown Green Grey Silver
Summer Brown Green Grey Silver
Autumn Brown Green Grey Silver
Winter Grey Silver Pink Brown Green Grey Silver
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Kalanchoe can be annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs or trees, with succulent, simple or pinnately lobed foliage and tubular or bell-shaped flowers with four lobes

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Madagascar

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based potting compost with additional sharp sand or grit in full light with good ventilation. Water moderately throughout the year but more sparingly in winter. In the growing season feed a balanced liquid fertiliser 2 or 3 times

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 - 21°C in early spring or by offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids

Diseases

Powdery mildews and a rust may be a problem

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