The best-known Kalanchoe varieties are probably those that beautify our homes with their colorful flowers. However, the succulent plants native to Madagascar and the tropical regions of Asia and Africa include about 150 species, such as:

The Kalanchoe tomentosa is also called cat's ear
  • Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy)
  • Kalanchoe miniata (Madagascar bells)
  • Cat Ear (Kalanchoe tomentosa)
  • Elephant ear (Kalanchoe beharensis)
  • Kalanchoe daigremontiana (broodleaf species)

which we would like to take a closer look at here.

Flaming Katie (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

The name of this multicolored flowering Kalanchoe honors the German plant breeder Robert Blossfeld. The succulent with its dark green leaves, which rarely grows over a foot tall, is one of those indoor plants that every plant lover has owned at some point. Originally always red, the color palette of the flowers today ranges from white to yellow and orange to pink and purple tones.

Kalanchoe miniata (Madagascar bells)

These Kalanchoen, which reach a growth height of between thirty and eighty centimetres, originally thrive in central Madagascar. The inflorescence looks extremely attractive and wonderfully fragile due to the small, hanging bells.

Cat Ear (Kalanchoe tomentosa)

This species, which originates from Madagascar and is also commonly cultivated, has a bushy, compact habit. The leaves of the plant, which can grow up to 50 centimeters, are elongated and narrow and covered on both sides with a light, velvety down. The edge is only slightly serrated and bears beautiful, bronze-colored spots.

Elephant ear (Kalanchoe beharensis)

This Kalanchoe has relatively large, very fleshy leaves that are very reminiscent of elephant ears. The top and bottom have a velvety, felt-like structure, and the edges are wavy. This Kalanchoe is one of the largest varieties, it can grow up to two meters high and is unfortunately one of the poisonous plants.

Kalanchoe daigremontiana (broodleaf species)

The brood leaf always has its offspring with it, because the offshoots grow directly on the leaf edges of the mother plant. From here they fall to the ground, where they grow directly. According to current scientific knowledge, the brood leaf species are only close relatives of the Kalanchoe, but we would like to briefly list them here. The independent plant family includes about 30 varieties. Among them is the famous Goethe plant (Bryophyllum calycinum) and these varieties:

Broodleaf (Bryophyllum pinnatum)

The light green, triangular leaves of the brood are about ten centimeters long and are toothed. New plants are formed on each tooth, already with a small root ball.

Active Broodleaf (Bryophyllum daigremontianum)

This Kalanchoe grows like a bush, with brown spotted, narrow leaves. She wears her Kindel only on the outermost tip of the leaf. In botanical gardens, this plant's proliferation frenzy can sometimes become a nuisance, as its offspring thrive in every possible location.

tips

It is a brood sheet that Goethe described in his poem "The Metamorphosis of Plants". The great German poet dealt with botany all his life, the Kalanchoe is said to have been one of his favorite plants.

Category:

Vegetable garden