Kalanchoe is a genus of flowering succulents, climbers or shrubs in the family Crassulaceae, comprising about 150 species. Kalanchoe is native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and Madagascar.
The species vary from small, leafy succulents to tree-like shrubs. They can be ranged from 15 cm to 3.5 m tall. The leaves are fleshy, mainly cylindrical, oval, or linear. The flowers are bell-shaped to tubular, with colors varies from white, yellow, orange, brown, red to purple. These are followed by small seed-bearing capsules.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy) is a small, succulent, shrubby African species growing 30 cm high and wide. It is a commonly cultivated and popular pot plant. Its multiple, upstretched branches are covered with oval to oblong, dark green leaves with toothed edges. It bears thick clusters of small, four-petaled, deep red, purple, orange, yellow, pink or white flowers year-round. This plant prefers partial shade.
Kalanchoe pumila is a small succulent shrub native to central Madagascar. It is a creeping succulent growing to a height of 10-20 cm, bearing oval, powdery gray-white leaves with indented margins. Small, tubular pink or reddish violet flowers of 1 cm long are borne in spring. This plant is good in hanging basket in a sunny position.
Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant, Pussy Ears) is an erect, bushy succulent with thick, oval gray-green leaves, covered in velvety bristles and are often edged with rusty brown spots along the margins. It bears yellowish green or yellowish-purple flowers in winter, although flowering is rare in cultivation. This plant can grow to 1m x 20 cm high and wide.
Kalanchoe is cultivated for its clusters of attractive flowers. It grows well in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. Propagation is by seed, offsets, or stem-cuttings in spring or summer. Many species produce new plantlets, known as bulbils or gemmae, from indented leaf margins. These young plants will drop off and take root.
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