This Kalanchoe's stunning colours will really help it stand out in your home! Its broad, rounded leaves grow like petals out of a central point, starting a pale sage green in the centre and ending at the leaf tips with deep red colouring. In the wild, it can grow up to 30" (75cm) tall, the top foot of that being its flower spike above the foliage. It is unlikely it will grow quite that tall indoors but if you're up for a challenge, who knows? However large it grows, it will be happiest in a dry, warm and sunny spot in your home, with plenty of time for the soil to dry out in between waters. Scientific Name Kalanchoe thyrsiflora (plant where the parts that fall grow, with flowers which resemble a pinecone staff)
Common Name Paddle Plant, Flapjacks, Dog Tongue, Desert Cabbage, White Lady, Desert Rose
Origin This Kalanchoe is native to Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini. Light Keep your Kalanchoe in a bright room - preferably east, south or west-facing - and in a spot where it will get an hour of direct sun in the morning or evening. This might change throughout the year! If it gets a little less light it can cope- but it will need less water and will grow slower. Water It is much better to under-water than over-water with this plant. Let the soil totally dry out before watering again - you can check this with a wooden skewer or something similar - and if you notice the leaves going wrinkly, this is a sign it is thirsty and ready for a drink!
Humidity Kalanchoes are adapted to low humidity, so most locations indoors will be fine. Keep them away from anywhere that's frequently damp (e.g. a bathroom) or close to a radiator which could fry your plant.
Soil Use a well-draining mix with components such as sand and grit. A mix designed for cacti and succulents will work well here. Repot every three years in Spring as the plant grows.
Food Feed once every few months with a fertiliser designed for cacti and succulents Temperature Ideal temperature is between 15-25°C; make sure it does not get colder than 12°C in winter.
Pet-safe No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.
Sprouts Top Tips The colour of the foliage is a good indication of the health of your plant. If you notice the centre getting pale, it is probably not getting enough light; if the centre is soft and the foliage blackened, it is too wet and needs to dry out. Crispy brown edges of the leaves indicate too little water or too much sun.
This month we have been busier than expected, which is obviously amazing. We have worked with some amazing businesses, including a very nice doughnut cafe thats opened on College Green that you need to check out. We have welcomed Jazz to the team, she's already settling in amazingly. And we look forward to the end of the year for that ever so special quarter that is very very important to retailers like us up and down the country.
We have launched our first (hopefully monthly) ‘Letter from the Founder’ blog post. I talk about a string of bad luck, from water gushing from various ceilings in my life to a break-in, and also reflect on the incredible work we have done to win two awards earlier this year. I look ahead to what’s coming up in August, projects we are working on with our clients, and some thoughts about the rest of the year. And I give an insight into my brain, why I am who I am and why I’m so thankful for all the opportunities, passion and excitement that running Sprouts has given me as a founder and as a woman.