Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi, commonly known as Lavender Scallops, is a popular, shrubby succulent native to Madagascar. It is highly prized as both a houseplant and a garden plant for its distinctive glaucescent, scalloped leaves and attractive tubular, bell-shaped flowers.
Taxonomy of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
Scientific Name
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi Raym.-Hamet & Perrier
Synonym(s)
Bryophyllum fedtschenkoi
Common Name(s)
Kalanchoe Stonecrop, Lavender Scallops
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Kalanchoeae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Etymology
The specific epithet "fedtschenkoi" (pronounced "fed-tscheng-koh-eye") honors Boris Alexeevich Fedtschenko (1872-1947), a Russian plant pathologist and botanist.
Description
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is a succulent plant that forms clumps of slender, much-branched stems with fleshy, distinctly waxy leaves, often with reddish-purple margins. It can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. When young, the stems are green to greenish-purple, turning brown to purplish-brown or purple with age. They are erect or creeping and easily root along the way. The leaves are densely packed in young plants, later becoming more widely spaced and usually located on the upper parts of the stems and branches. They are obovate or obovate-oblong to nearly round, measuring up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. The margins of the leaves are scalloped, typically in the upper half, and often bear plantlets, especially after detachment. The leaves are attached to the stem by a petiole up to 0.5 inches (0.5 cm) long.
From late spring to early summer, Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi produces pendent, bell-shaped flowers in many-flowered, head-shaped clusters. The inflorescence is erect, sometimes bulbiferous after flowering, and can reach up to 8 inches (20 cm) in height. The flowers can measure up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in length and have a yellow-green calyx with numerous red, purple, or blue lines and an orange-red corolla with many red lines. The fruits are light green follicles covered by persistent flower parts. They can grow up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) long and contain tiny, dark brown to reddish-brown seeds.
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). The plant has also established itself in the wild in some parts of Africa, Tropical Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
Cultivars of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
How to Grow and Care for Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
Light: Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi grows best in full sun but usually appreciates partial shade on hot summer days. When growing indoors, place it near a window with indirect sunlight. If it does not receive enough light, it may stretch.
Soil: The plant needs well-draining soil and does not like "wet feet." A commercial potting mix for succulents will work well.
Temperature: Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi thrives in heat and humidity but cannot handle frost. It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25°F to 50°F (-3.9°C to 10°C).
Watering: From spring to fall, water the plant thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry between waterings, as overwatering can cause stem rot. Reduce watering during winter, and water only enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling.
Fertilizing: To ensure the plant has the nutrients it needs to thrive, fertilize it occasionally during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength and apply it every two weeks.
Repotting: The plant thrives when repotted frequently. For optimal growth, repot it every two years in the spring, using a pot one size larger than the previously used one.
Propagation: Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi can be easily propagated by plantlets that develop along the leaf margins. Spring is the best time to separate the plantlets.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Kalanchoe.
Toxicity of Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi is not toxic to people but should be kept away from pets because, if consumed, it may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmias.
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Internal Links
- Explore all plants within the genus Kalanchoe.
- Explore all plants within the family Crassulaceae.