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Chandelier Plant

Kalanchoe delagoensis

Flower
Foliage
Chandelier Plant

Where its relative the mother of thousands produces plantlets along broad leaf edges, this species lines them up like teeth along narrow greenish-gray leaves, and in late winter hangs chandelier clusters of reddish-orange bells from stem tops.

Kalanchoe delagoensis, the mother of millions, is a succulent perennial from Madagascar that has made itself at home — sometimes unwelcomely so — across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Like its close relative K. daigremontiana, it reproduces asexually by producing plantlets along its leaf margins, but here the leaves are narrow and grey-green with reddish-brown spots, and the plantlets appear as tooth-like structures along the edges. Any plantlet that falls to the ground roots readily in almost any substrate, which explains both the common name and the plant's invasive status in Australia, Hawaii, and parts of southern Africa. The specific epithet refers to the former name of Maputo Bay off the coast of Mozambique.

In late winter to early spring, mature plants send up clusters of drooping, bell-shaped flowers in dark reddish-orange to pale pink, their arrangement resembling a chandelier and giving rise to another of the plant's common names. Growth to four feet tall is possible, though the plant takes a few years to reach that stature. Indoors it grows well in a cactus and succulent potting mix in full to partial sun with protection from the hottest afternoon light; outdoors it is hardy in zones 10 to 11 only. Allow the soil to dry between waterings and reduce watering further in summer dormancy. The plant is toxic if ingested, requires gloves for handling, and should be kept well away from other containers where its plantlets might escape.

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Zone10 - 11
TypeHerbaceous perennial
GrowthFast
Height1 - 4 ft
Spread1 - 3 ft
BloomSpring
MaintenanceLow
SunFull sun
SoilLoam (silt)
DrainageGood drainage
FormErect
TextureMedium
PropagationLeaf cutting
FamilyCrassulaceae
LocationsContainer
Garden themesDrought Tolerant Garden
Resistant toDrought
Palettes