How to grow and care for Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) Indoors
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Botanical name: Kalanchoe marmorata
Family: Crassulaceae
Common name: Pen Wiper Plant
Pen Wiper Plant Description
Pen Wiper Plant is a popular foliage plant that is grown for its large scalloped and brown-blotched leaves. The flowers are starry white, four-petalled and are sometimes tinged with pink.
The species name 'marmorata' refers to the marbled surface of the leaves.
Pen Wiper Plant Size
The Pen Wiper Plant is a low-growing plant which grows to a height of 16 in. and about 16 in. wide.
Pen Wiper Plant Origin
Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) is native to Central and West Africa, from Zaire to Ethiopia, Sudan and Somali.
Buy beautiful and healthy Kalanchoe Plants from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Alchetron
Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) Care Indoors
Pen Wiper Plant Light Requirements
Pen Wiper Plant grows best in bright light to full sunlight. It can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not sufficient.
Should you choose to grow Pen Wiper Plant outdoors, gradually acclimatize it and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching the leaves. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to Water Pen Wiper Plant
Water Pen Wiper Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings. Water the plant very infrequently during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Avoid wetting the leaves as it can lead to rotting. Water from the bottom instead.
To avoid shocking the plant, water Pen Wiper Plant with water that is at room temperature. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Temperature for Pen Wiper Plant
Average warmth temperatures between 16-260C are ideal for Pen Wiper Plant.
The sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this succulent plant. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Pen Wiper Plant
Average room humidity is adequate for Pen Wiper Plant. The plant has no need for high humidity.
Fertilizer (Feeding) for Pen Wiper Plant
Feed Pen Wiper Plant monthly during the growing period with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Do not feed the plant in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time thus feeding can cause fertilizer burn. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
How to Repot Pen Wiper Plant
Repot Pen Wiper Plant only when the plant becomes pot-bound. Use a shallow rather than a deep pot as it has shallow roots.
The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease.
A clay pot for Pen Wiper Plant is preferable because it is porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster.
Pen Wiper Plant Soil
The best soil for Pen Wiper Plant should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.
Cactus and Succulents soil is ideal for Pen Wiper Plant. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Soil for your Pen Wiper Plant from Etsy.
How to Prune Pen Wiper Plant
Pruning Pen Wiper Plant requires the removal of dead and diseased leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy.
Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) Propagation
Pen Wiper Plant can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings as they root easily.
How to propagate Pen Wiper Plant from Leaf Cuttings
Take leaf cuttings together with about an inch of the leaf petiole from a healthy Pen Wiper Plant.
Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.
Insert the leaf petiole into moist, free-draining soil while ensuring that the midrib of the leaf also comes into contact with the soil.
Cover the set up with transparent polythene to raise humidity inorder to hasten rooting and establishment.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place. Water sparingly, only when the soil is dry.
Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage to avoid getting the soil soggy as it can lead to rotting of the leaf cuttings.
Once the Pen Wiper plantlets have grown at least one set of leaves, carefully seperate them and pot in individual pots.
Place the new Pen Wiper Plants in a warm, well-lit spot and begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) Problems Indoors
Pen Wiper Plant dropping leaves
Pen Wiper Plant dropping leaves is due to overwatering or underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Avoid overwatering and soggy soil for your Pen Wiper Plant by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Significantly reduce watering during the cold season and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Pen Wiper Plant leggy growth
Pen Wiper Plant leggy growth is an indication that the lighting is inadequate. This is an attempt by your plant to reach for the light.
Move your Pen Wiper Plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with some direct sunlight or instal a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.
Pen Wiper Plant drooping leaves
Pen Wiper Plant drooping leaves is due to underwatering. Immediately water your Pen Wiper Plant thoroughly and it should perk up.
Thereafter, water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
During the cold season, water your Pen Wiper Plant very infrequently but never allow the soil to dry our completely.
Pen Wiper Plant rotting base, yellowing and shriveled leaves
Pen Wiper Plant rotting base followed by yellowing and shriveled leaves is an indication of basal stem-rot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions.
Avoid getting the soil soggy by ensuring that the pot for your Pen Wiper Plant has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.
Pen Wiper Plant pests
Pen Wiper Plant pests; mealy bugs and scale insects. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Is Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) toxic?
Pen Wiper Plant (Kalanchoe marmorata) like other Kalanchoe Plants contain Calcium glycosides which are toxic to animals.
Keep Pen Wiper Plant away from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.
