Kalanchoe houghtonii
(This plant comes in a 3.5 inch pot. All of our plants are grown under the same conditions, although not all the plants are the same. You will receive a similar plant in size and shape to the ones in the pictures. Our plants are hand-picked and carefully selected to bring you the best quality possible. Please allow us up to 3 business days to process your order. If you wish to receive your order on a specific date, or have special instructions, please add a note at the checkout . The plant is shipped in its pot to prevent any damage to the roots).
Kalanchoe houghtonii
Kalanchoe houghtonii is native to Madagascar. Also called Mother of Thousands, Alligator Plant, or Mexican hat.
Description: The Mother-of-Millions hybrid (Kalanchoe daigremontiana x Kalanchoe delagoensis) can be identified by the V-shaped leaved. It is a biennial erect, unbranching plant to about 75 cm.
Leaves: Arched, boat-shaped, fleshy, tricornered, and emerald green to brownish-green in colour, usually with purple splotches beneath and serrated margins. Plantlets are produced at the margins of leaves.
Flowers: Pendulous orange and pink in color.
Notes: It is a garden escape and a noxious weed in many tropical countries. The plant is spread by seeds and by plantlets that form on the edges of the leaves. It seems indestructible and is very difficult to eradicate as the seeds remain viable in the soil for many years. It is poisonous to stock.
Cultivation and Propagation: This plant is almost indestructible, does not require any care... no care at all, it will grow. Sure it like water, but it is very drought tolerant... throw it on the trash piles and it just keeps growing and flowering Kalanchoe houghtonii isn't hardy to severe freeze, but seem to tolerate everything else. These are very easy pot plants due to their drought tolerance, and in fact, will grow in pretty deep shade without much trouble. Good thing they don't have nasty roots- they can be pulled or scooped away were not wanted. It needs to be covered at least and housed in cold climates. They are absolutely gorgeous as a cut flower in a tall stemmed green vase. However, the flowers are produced only by healthy plants grown on optimal conditions:
Watering: As a succulent plant Kalanchoe houghtonii can survive prolonged periods of drought with little or no water.
Warning: Parts of Kalanchoe houghtoniis toxic, it contains a cardiac glycoside – daigremontianin. All members of Kalanchoe are toxic for livestock, birds, small animals, and humans.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
