Scientific Name
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Raym.-Hamet & Perrier
Common Name(s)
Gray Sedum, Kalanchoe Stonecrop, Lavender Scallops, South American Air Plant
Synonym(s)
Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi var. isalensis
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Kalanchoeae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Description
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, also known as Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi, is a tuft-forming succulent with fleshy leaves covered with a glaucescent, purple, waxy bloom and densely arranged on slender, much-branched, often purple stems. It can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. The stems are initially prostate, creeping and easily rooting, becoming ascending to erect as they grow. The leaves are obovate or obovate-oblong with conspicuous teeth in the upper half, sometimes with bulbils on the margins, and measure up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. The leaf margins are often reddish-purple.
The flowers are pendant, bell-shaped, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long, and appear in late spring and early summer. They have yellow-green calyx with numerous red, purple, or blue lines and orange-red corolla with numerous red lines.
Origin
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is native to central and south-eastern Madagascar. It grows on siliceous rocks at elevations that range from 330 to 3,280 feet (100 to 1,000 m).
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Kalanchoe care is minimal but be cautious about light levels. Intense sunlight can burn the tips of the leaves. Place pots in partial sun to light shade areas when growing Kalanchoes.
The flowering varieties are highly rewarding for their colorful and long-lasting flowers. They prefer bright, sunny locations, especially in the growing season. Water moderately from fall to winter when the growth is most active. Reduce watering during the hottest summer months when the plants are mostly dormant and winter when the growth slows down significantly. Let the soil surface dry out between waterings. Watch the fleshy leaves for signs of water distress. An ordinary potting soil mix is fine. Feed bi-weekly during the growing season with a liquid fertilizer, or use slow-release pellets.
These small plants require repotting every few years. When repotting, take additional care in handling as the leaves are somewhat brittle and can snap easily. Clay pots work exceptionally well for planting Kalanchoes. Ensure pots can drain well and saucers can empty easily.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Kalanchoe.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Kalanchoe
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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