Originating in the islands of Madagascar, the sheer number of Mother of Thousands varieties is proof of the region’s wonderful biodiversity!
Naturally occurring in Madagascar, the various varieties of ‘Mother of Thousands’ plants have been transported and naturalized to many tropical regions, thanks to their unique appearance. These plants have a unique manner of propagation, so they quickly colonize different areas. They produce numerous plantlets on the edges and tips of their leaves. These fall off, mature, and grow into new plants. Now, let’s look at the fantastic Mother of Thousand varieties, each showcasing different colorations and appearances!
Mother of Thousands Varieties
1. Palm Tree Bryophyllum
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana
With its leaves looking like tiny blue-green triangles with spotty yellow variegations, you would never imagine this slim succulent so tough! It grows to a height of 16 inches, making it look like a tiny palm tree. The best part is that bugs leave this plant alone. If you have been thinking about adding a Kalanchoe to your collection, go right ahead with this variety, as it doesn’t need much water or fertilizer.
2. Chandelier Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe delagoensis
Also known as Kalanchoe tubiflora due to the tube-like appearance of its leaves, its green leaves are waxy, resembling plastic, and can feel rubbery. This waxy texture actually protects the plant against intense sunlight. Its attractive flowers are a rare sight, as intensive vegetative growth takes up most of the plant’s energy and resources.
3. Lavender Scallops
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe fedtschenkoi
Showcasing scalloped leaf margins that turn a lovely light purple color in the right growing conditions, that is, under a lot of sun, this Kalanchoe variety also produces bell-shaped flowers that grow in reddish-brown or purplish clusters. This is an excellent Mother of Thousands variety to grow indoors or in tropical gardens, as it does not need watering.
4. Donkey Ears
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe gastonis-bonnieri
Also known as the “Tree of Life,” this Mother of Thousands variety is special because of its clustered, variegated foliage. Each broad light green leaf showcases purple spots. Moreover, this variety also produces waxy red candle-like structures, which elevate its appearance, making it look fantastic inside your home or in your gardens. This variety produces fewer plantlets from its leaves than other varieties.
5. Mother of Millions
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe х houghtonii
A cultivar produced from hybridizing the ‘Kalanchoe daigremontiana’ and ‘Kalanchoe delagoensis,’ the Mother of Millions variety showcases emerald-green V-shaped leaves and grows well in warm places. But remember, this variety is toxic to both animals and humans. Also known by names like the Good-luck plant and the Houghton’s hybrid, this plant produces pendulous red flowers, but the color can also range from pinkish-yellow to pinkish-orange.
6. Life Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe pinnata
Colloquially known as the “Life plant,” this variety is notorious for making a lot of plantlets. The flowers of the Life plant look like little bells, easily making them a favorite for garden displays. But a word of caution—they can grow a little too fast in gardens! It has numerous common names, too, like the “Goethe plant” and “Cathedral Bells,” and its unbranching stems showcase red spots or stripes.
7. Panda Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe tomentosa
Also known as the “Pussy Ears” and “Plush plant” because of its fuzzy, oval silver-green leaves with brownish-red tips that look burnt, this variety is a hit amongst indoor gardeners. That is because of its neat, bushy growth, which can add an instant playful charm to any succulent collection.
8. Mexican Hat Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana ‘Mexican Hat Plant’
Find the name interesting? Well, this variety got such a name because of the appearance of its flowers that resemble wide-brimmed sombrero hats, worn commonly in Mexico. This succulent also showcases beautifully spiraling leaves that look very graceful as they trail down containers and pots. Prevent this low-maintenance, charming variety from becoming invasive by not letting its plantlets fall on the soil.
9. Laetivirens Kalanchoe
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe laetivirens
Aptly named the ‘Big Momma,’ this Kalanchoe variety produces more plantlets than you can handle! It’s best to grow this variety in pots so it doesn’t become invasive. This unique succulent has big bluish-green leaves, each growing up to 8 inches long and 3 inches wide. This variety needs plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil.
10. Cup Kalanchoe
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe synsepala
Also known as the walking kalanchoe, this is quite an appealing succulent that showcases fleshy leaves with pink or purple rigid margins. Baby plantlets grow at the end of the long stems of this succulent, which bend down and take root in the soil. You will need to provide them with well-draining soil and also repot them every few years.
11. Copper Spoons
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe Orgyalis
Having its origin in Southwestern Madagascar, this attractive succulent with multiple branches is noted for its unique spoon-shaped leaves. This shrub grows up to a height of 1.8 m on average and, interestingly, goes dormant during the summer months. Due to this, it requires require minimal care. It also produces yellow-colored blooms during the bloom season of late winter to early spring.
12. Flapjack Plant
Botanical Name: Kalanchoe luciae
Colloquially known as the “Paddle plant” or “desert cabbage,” this succulent’s popularity has grown exponentially among succulent enthusiasts because of its distinctive paddle-shaped leaves and vibrant bluish-grey or silvery-grey coloration. Thanks to the powdery coating on its leaves, the plant conserves moisture well and is also protected from intense sunlight, which causes the leaves to sometimes turn blush red.
