Kalanchoe pinnata is a succulent perennial that grows 4-6 feet tall on hollow stems. It has bright green leaves comprised of 3-5 leaflets with distinctively scalloped dark maroon margins.
The number of leaflets present varies from one (simple) near the base of the stem to two or more (compound) as the plant grows.
When more than one leaflet is present, the one at the tip is significantly larger than the others, as seen in the next image:
Although I’ve been calling this succulent a Kalanchoe, Bryophyllum appears to be the current taxonomy based on several characteristics: (1) formation of plantlets in the leaf notches AFTER the leaf falls from the stem (2) the presence of pendulous flowers, (3) origins in Madagascar.
In contrast, species classified in the Kalanchoe group originate from a larger geographic range, have upright-facing flowers and produce plantlets along the margins of leaves still attached to the mother plant. Of course all of this could change because numerous species don’t fit neatly in either category, and taxonomy has a way of updating with each new DNA analysis. 😮
But for now, let’s take a look at the traits that made K. pinnata the Bryophyllum she is today ➡ pendent flowers opening from short, lateral branches on tall, chandelier-like stalks.
The individual blooms are 1″ long and tubular shaped, emerging pinkish-green and deepening to red before drying on the stalk as a pale, papery brown. .
When pinnata drops a leaflet, it goes into survival mode: bulbils (plantlets) begin growing along the leaf notches.
As you might imagine, this form of propagation can be mighty invasive! Good thing I like these burgeoning renamed kalanchoes! 🙂 I’m surrounded! 😉
Until next time…….. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Related articles
- Wordless Wednesday: Nov. 6, 2013 (smallhousebiggarden.wordpress.com)
- Succulents in large scale containers (tended.wordpress.com)
14 thoughts on “Kalanchoe (Bryophyllum?) Pinnata”
Comments are closed.
Thanks for this post. I love the Kalanchoes too. Lucky for me they freeze back in the winter in my part of Florida, so not much chance of too much invasion. But the mother plant does come back which is good.
You’re most welcome!
In 2010 we had an unusual 2wk long cold snap with night temps around freezing: I was surprised by how many plants recovered after a full die back. Such a relief when that happens, yeah?
Can’t wait to see those bloom 🙂
The two pics with flowers are really just showing the early bud stage, aren’t they? As I commented to Bulldog, I will DEF get a good photo when they open and come back to update this post!!
AWESOME PLANT! Send me a leaf…
Email your postal address to me at karenmulhern@live.com. I’ll def send you some leaves!!
Wonderful share… never come across these before… would love to see the flowers…
Two of the pics i posted show the flowers, but they’re in the earliest stages. When I see them fully open I’ll def take a photo and update this post!
Its very pretty with its contrastng edges!
Yes, that’s what appealed most to me, too!
I have a kalanchoe in a pot – my local nursery said it probably wouldn’t survive what’s expected to be our iciest winter yet. Kalanchoe isn’t doing well inside, either. So here’s to hoping…
I’ve never tried them as houseplants (even in MA.) Actually I didn’t even know what a kalanchoe was until moving to FL. I think yours has its best shot if you put it in the sunniest spot you can find..I’ve noticed the outdoor ones that look best are the ones where sun beats down on them all day!!