Scientific Name
Kalanchoe × houghtonii D. B. Ward
Synonym(s)
Bryophyllum × houghtonii, Bryophyllum tubimontanum, Kalanchoe hybrida, Kalanchoe 'Hybrida', Kalanchoe 'Houghtonii'
Common Name(s)
Alligator Plant, Houghton's Hybrid, Mother of Millions Hybrid, Mother of Thousands, Mother of Thousands 'Houghtonii', Mexican Hat Plant, Good Luck Plant, Devil's Backbone
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Kalanchoeae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Etymology
The nothospecific epithet "houghtonii" (pronounced "ho-TON-ee-eye") honors Arthur Duvernoix Houghton🡕 (1870–1938), a medical doctor and a botanist specializing in cacti.
Origin
This succulent is a hybrid created in the United States in the 1930s, resulting from experimental crosses between Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe delagoensis (formerly known as Kalanchoe tubiflora), two species endemic to Madagascar. Due to its high ability to colonize, primarily from the production of asexual plantlets, this hybrid quickly escaped cultivation and spread to various parts of the world.
Description
Kalanchoe × houghtonii is a monocarpic succulent with an erect, unbranched stem that bears boat-shaped leaves with serrated margins, along which small plantlets are produced. The stem can grow up to 30 inches (75 cm) tall. The leaves are succulent, emerald green to brownish-green, usually with purple splotches beneath.
The flowers are pendulous, typically dark red, sometimes pinkish-orange or pinkish-yellow, and appear in winter. The inflorescence is a dense cyme with 100 or more flowers and can reach up to 3.3 feet (1 m) in height. The flowers can measure up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long.
Many succulent enthusiasts do not realize that this hybrid differs from its variegated form, Kalanchoe 'Pink Butterflies', in which the plantlets lack the chlorophyll needed to survive on their own.
Kalanchoe × houghtonii is often confused with Kalanchoe daigremontiana.
Forms of Kalanchoe × houghtonii
How to Grow and Care for Kalanchoe × houghtonii
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
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, long-lasting blooms. 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 in winter, when growth slows 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 extra care when 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.
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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