Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe daigremontiana) Care Indoors, Propagation & Problems
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Kalanchoe daigremontiana also called Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe, Alligator Plant or Mexican Hat Plant is one of the popular Kalanchoe varieties and bears thick fleshy leaves with numerous bulbils on the teeth.
The leaves in Kalanchoe daigremontiana vary in size, color and shape. They are dark-green to purplish-green with brown-red spots and held up by 2 inches long petioles.
The common name, 'Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe', is in reference to the plantlets that form along the edges of the leaves. Whereas, these plantlets make propagation of this plant easy, they cause it to be invasive in some regions; they easily drop and begin to grow anywhere there is soil. It is recommended to grow this plant in a container to minimize spread.
On account of their love for sunlight, Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe and its cousins Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (Flaming Katy), Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant), and Kalanchoe uniflora (Trailing Kalanchoe) are among favored succulents for full sun conditions.
Botanical name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Synonmy: Byrophyllum daigremontianum, Kalanchoe daigremontianum
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe, Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe, Alligator Plant, Mexican Hat Plant
Origin
Kalanchoe daigremontiana is native to southwest Madagascar.
Size
Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe can grow to a height of about 3 feet and the leaves are about 8 inches long.
Flower
Alligator Plant flowers are greyish-pink or reddish to purple and bell-shaped. They are umbrella-like terminal inflorescences which appear in summer after which tiny follicles containing the seeds are formed.
Is Kalanchoe daigremontiana toxic?
Yes. iNaturalist.org indicates that, Kalanchoe daigremontiana like other plants in the Bryophyllum subgenus contains a very toxic steroid called daigremontianin which is toxic to both humans and pets. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets to prevent any mishaps.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to acquire these plants for your collection? You may acquire Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Kalanchoe daigremontiana Indoors
To care for Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe indoors, give it bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 16-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana requires annual repotting for the young plants but mature plants only need repotting when pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat and tidy. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe thoroughly in spring and summer and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing, drooping and loss of leaves.
Decrease watering significantly in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Being a tropical plant, consistently watering it with cold water will cause cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf fall; use room temperature water.
Make sure that the soil is loose and drain easily, and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Avoid wetting the leaves as it can lead to rotting and loss of the plant.
Light Requirements
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe grows best in bright light to full sunlight. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Insufficient light for the plant will lead to leggy growth and yellowing. If the natural light is inadequate, you may instal a full spectrum grow light to increase it.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives enought light on all sides for even growth.
If you choose to grow your Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe outdoors, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching the leaves.
Temperature & Humidity
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe thrives in a warmth of 16-260C. The sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this succulent plant as it mimicks its natural environment.
Keep the Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe away from drafts to avoid sudden drops in temperature as they can lead to reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Ensure good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer for lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Potting Soil
The best potting mix for Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid sogginess. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is ideal for the plant as it drains easily.
Repotting
Repot the young Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer). Use a shallow rather than a deep pot as the plant has shallow roots.
Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to avoid waterlogging which can result in root-rot. A clay pot is preferable as it is porous, which allows the soil to dry out faster, therefore, preventing it from getting soggy. Check out these terracotta pots with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe requires the removal of dead and diseased leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy.
Ocassionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana Propagation
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from the numerous plantlets that form along the edges of the leaf. These plantlets have roots attached and they root easily.
It is important to note that Mother of Thousands Kalanchoe is a monocarpic plant which means it flowers only once and then dies. The plant takes about 2 to 5 years to mature.
Propagating Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe from plantlets
- Carefully detach the plantlets from the mother plant while ensuring that they have adequate roots.
- Immediately, plant the plantlets in moist, free-draining soil in small holes. Only the roots should lightly touch the soil.
- Slightly firm the soil around the roots and cover the set up with clear polythene to raise humidity to hasten establishment.
- Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the plants.
- Water the soil sparingly, only when the soil is dry to avoid rotting.
- Ensure that the rooting container has adequate drainage to avoid getting the soil soggy as it can lead to rotting.
- Once the plants are well established, remove the plastic cover and pot them in individual pots.
- Place the new plants in a warm, brightly-lit place and begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Kalanchoe in 5 Easy Ways.
Kalanchoe daigremontiana Problems & Remedies
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe problems are drooping leaves, dropping leaves, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Drooping leaves
Why is my Devil's Backbone Plant drooping?
Your Devil's Backbone Plant may be drooping due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out but never allow the soil to dry our completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts AC units, hot air vents, heat sources, stoves among others.
Dropping leaves
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe dropping leaves are due to incorrect watering, soggy soil or drafts.
How to fix it
Incorrect watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out but never allow the soil to dry our completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts AC units, hot air vents, heat sources, stoves and others.
Leggy growth
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe leggy growth is caused by too little light. This is an attempt by the plant to reach for the light.
How to fix it
Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with at least 4-6 hours direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Pests
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe is rarely attacked by pests but weak plants can be infested by mealybugs and scale insects especially in very conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to prevent spread to the other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the recommendations on the label.
- Regularly check underneath the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to elevate humidity to depress the pests infestations.
Diseases
Devil's Backbone Kalanchoe is prone to basal stem-rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions. The disease is characterized by rotting at the base followed by yellowing and shriveled leaves.
How to fix it
- Remove and discard the infected parts to reduce spread to the rest of the plant.
- Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist; avoid overwatering.
- Do not wet the leaves during watering to discourage the disease.
- Ocassionally use a fungicidal solution to water the plant to prevent the disease.
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