Kalanchoe daigremontiana X delagoensis

Kalanchoe daigremontiana X delagoensis

Synonyms: Bryophyllum daigremontiana x delagoensis, Kalanchoe x houghtonii, Bryophyllum x houghtonii
Family: Crassulaceae
Common Name: devil’s backbone, alligator plant, mother of millions hybrid, mother of thousands hybrid, chandelier plant
Origin: Kalanchoe daigremontiana x delagoensis is a man-made hybrid created in the 1930’s by experimental crossings between Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Kalanchoe delagoensis (formerly known as Kalanchoe tubiflora) both of which are endemic to Madagascar (1,2,5,6,9). Arthur Duvernoix Houghton (1870-1939) was a medical doctor and botanist who created this plant in his greenhouses in San Fernando, California, through seed propagation (1,4,5). Seeds were propagated by using the pollen from Kalanchoe delagoensis to pollinate Kalanchoe daigremontiana (3,4). It eventually escaped cultivation and given its ability to proliferate by producing large quantities of plantlets at a time, it quickly naturalized in warm regions all over the globe (1,4). It is believed to be present on every continent except Antarctica, although its exact spread is unknown given the lack of literacy in identifying it (4,5). The challenges in identification are due to its stark resemblance to its parent plant, Kalanchoe daigremontiana, as well as confusing discrepancies in proper nomenclature, which have allowed the plant to evade detection (4,5). The plant is only declared as invasive in the United States and Australia, although its invasive status is much larger (4,6,8). It is often mislabeled, especially regarding the variegated form Kalanchoe ‘pink butterflies’ which is a hybrid of Kalanchoe daigremontiana x delagoensis, whose bulbils possess an attractive bright pink coloration due to their inability to produce chlorophyll, which is also desirable for inhibiting its spread (1).

Description: Kalanchoe daigremontiana x delagoensis is a perennial monocarpic succulent, with an erect unbranched stem (1,4,6,7,12). This plant has a shallow root system and can reach a height of 30 inches (1,2,6,10). The leaves are succulent, with a lanceolate almost boat-shaped lamina with a serrated leaf margin (1,4,5,6,7,8,11,12). The leaves are an emerald-green hue with mottled brown and purple patterning, and a deep purple coloration on its underside (1,5,6,8). The leaves are petiolate and are 3-6 inches long, and have opposite positioning (4,7,11). The flowers are pendulous and bell-shaped, forming on terminal corymbs often with over 100 flowers on a florescence (4,6,8,9,12). The flowers can range from orange, red, and pink, and are about 1.2 inches long (1,2,6,9,8,12). The flowers are tetramerous, with four greyish sepals partially fused, and 4 petals being fused up until the apex of its tubular corolla (4,12). The fruit is a dry-indehiscent follicle about a ½ inch long and is divided into 4 compartments containing copious amounts of tiny seeds (12). This plant produces large quantities of plantlets at the leaf margin, that readily shed and take root (1,5,6,7,11,12).

Interesting Features:
- These two parental plant species of this hybrid do not appear to cross naturally, even when sharing the same spaces in habitat (4,6).
- Flowers are colorful and long-lived, lasting up to five weeks, and are the most toxic part of the plant (1,7,8,12).

Uses: Kalanchoe diagremontiana x delagoensis is a very successful houseplant for beginners given its ease of care and resilience (1,6,11). Sometimes called the “good luck plant”, it was historically given as a housewarming gift due to its beautiful flowers and wide tolerance for neglect, often being said to be “indestructible” (6,10,12). This plant can be a rewarding bloomer, offering showy flowers in a wide array of colors, that are incredibly long lasting (1,2,7). They can even make wonderful cut flowers in a vase, given its erect and long-stemmed growing habit (6). This plant is excellent in a collection for its peculiar morphology, and unique mottled coloring on its foliage (2,5,7). This plant is very popular given that its drought and humidity tolerance make it adaptable to many different climates (4). It is also very easily propagated, as its plantlet formation at the leaf margin is profuse (4,11). However, its ease of propagation and versatility also give many gardeners problems, as it quickly chokes out other plants when in open plots (4,5,6,8,11). This plant is poisonous, so care should be taken to keep it out of the reach of children and pests (7,8,12).

Cultivation and Care:

Watering: Low
- This plant should receive a soak and dry watering method, typical for succulents (1,2,7,11).
- To prevent root-rot, care should be taken to avoid overwatering and allowing the plant to sit in water-logged soil (1,2,7,8,11).
Soil: An ordinary potting medium is suitable, although a fast-draining medium formulated for succulents and cacti is optimal (1,2,7,8,11).
- Repotting is not often needed, and clay pots are an excellent choice for their increased drainage and porosity (1,2).
Lighting: This plant requires bright light, preferably partial sun with lite shade, as intense sun light can burn the tips of its leaves (1,2,6,8,11).
Propagation: This plant can be propagated by leaves and seeds, however the easiest mode for propagation is from the numerous plantlets formed at its leaf margins (2,6,7,12).
- These tiny pups take root with ease, so caution should be taken when planting this plant in open plots, as its profuse plantlet shedding will allow it to colonize rapidly, choking out other plants (4,5,6,8,11).
- Proper care should also be taken with disposal also, as the tiny seeds, plantlets, and leaf and stem fragments can easily reestablish (4,5,6,8,11,12).
Cold Tolerance: Tender, USDA cold-hardiness zones 10a to 11b (1,2,11).
- This plant is not cold tolerant and will perish if exposed to frost (2,6,7,11).
- This plant is drought and humidity tolerant (6,8).

Special Accommodations: Kalanchoe daigremontiana x delagoensis is exceedingly easy to care for, as well as very resilient (1,6,11).
- This plant rarely blooms, only large healthy plants will flower, and cool temperatures with reduced light levels can induce flowering (7).
- This plant is self-pollinating and blooms in winter and spring (2,7,8,9,10,12).
- The plant is poisonous so care should be taken to keep it out of the reach of children and pests (7,8,12).
- This plant has very delicate leaves, and should be handled carefully (1)

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