Scientific Name
Kalanchoe luciae 'Fantastic'
Common Names
Variegated Paddle Plant
Synonyms
Kalanchoe 'Fantastic'
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Kalanchoeae
Genus: Kalanchoe
Description
Kalanchoe luciae 'Fantastic' is a stunning succulent with a collage of foliage colors. It grows up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall with an equal width. Leaves are thick, rounded, clamshell-like, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long, up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide, and emerge from the basal rosette. They are like the species with a gray-green color and red highlights but add to these splashes of cream to white variegation, and you have "Fantastic." It produces clusters of pale yellow, tubular flowers, on a single, up to 3 feet (90 cm) long stem from late winter into early spring.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Paddle Plant is not cold-hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20 °F (-6.7 °C), it is best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun. Grow in well-drained potting soil in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day.
When the soil dries about an inch (2.5 cm) down into the pot or ground, water regularly. Paddle Plant is very drought tolerant. It is susceptible to overwatering, however, so err on the side of not watering when unsure.
Fertilize Paddle Plant lightly during the growing season. Withhold fertilizer during fall and watering for both indoor and outdoor plants.
Protect from slugs and snails, which permanently disfigure the leaves.
Origin
Kalanchoe luciae 'Fantastic' is a variegated cultivar of Kalanchoe luciae.
Links
- Back to genus Kalanchoe
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
